SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) -- Southfield Police are releasing new information about string of crimes allegedly committed by a suspect charged with beating an elderly man to death.
On the night of Thursday, May 30, police said 79-year-old Maurice Elmore was walking in the area of Telegraph Rd. and Franklin when he was attacked by 26-year-old Stavon Lindsay, who hit him in the head from behind.
It's alleged that Lindsay punched and kicking Lindsay, who was on the ground, before stealing his cell phone and wallet and fleeing the scene.
Elmore was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries on June 10. The Oakland County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide due to blunt force trauma.
At a news conference Friday, police revealed that, shortly before that fatal attack, Lindsay committed a series of crimes — including breaking off a mailbox from a pole and throwing it into traffic, and punching a man in the face before stealing his bike.
Police released video of the mailbox incident, demonstrating the suspect's erratic behavior, as well as a map showing the path of Lindsay's alleged crimes.
As for a motive for these crimes, Police Chief Elvin Baron said it's become clear that Lindsay has some mental health issues.
"He suffers from bipolar and schizophrenia," Baron told WWJ's Darrilyn Horne and other reporters. "But again, that's what we learned during the process of the investigation."
Regardless of the mental health discussion, Baron called Lindsay a "coward" for his actions.
Elmore's daughter, Jill Robbins, said this is a lot to take in, as she approaches the first Father's Day she'll spend without her dad.
"My father was perfect, he was perfect. There's nothing to say bad about him; he was a lovely person," Robbins said.
"This is so hard to hear, detail by detail what happened, and it was just so surreal...But I can say he's off the street; he will not hurt no one else."
Lindsay has been arraigned on the following charges: Felony Murder, Malicious Destruction of Building (felony), Malicious Destruction of Property (misdemeanor), and Assault and Battery (misdemeanor).
He's being held without bond in the Oakland County Jail, with his next court date set for June 26.