Former Valet Accused Of Stealing A Cadillac While The Owner Dines At A Restaurant: Police

FERNDALE, MI — A former valet was arrested for allegedly stealing a car at his former employer's valet stand, according to a police report.

Ferndale Police say that Robert Lewis Schwartz, a 50-year-old Pontiac man, used to work as a valet for Trax Valet. He reportedly went to a Trax Valet station near 9 Mile/Planavon and asked former co-workers for money on Dec. 17 at 7:15 p.m.

He then tried taking a car key, but a valet service employee stopped him. Soon after, Schwartz reportedly grabbed a key to a 2015 Cadillac ATS, ran to the parked car, started up the engine, and drove off. Meanwhile, the owner of the Cadillac was dining at the Assagi Bistro.

A valet called Ferndale Police, who could not immediately locate the Cadillac. Roughly six hours later at 1:00 a.m. on Dec. 18, Ferndale Police received a report of a man in the intersection of 9 Mile/Hilton screaming and waving at traffic. An officer on the scene identified the man as Schwartz. Ferndale Police say Schwartz ran southbound on the railroad tracks before officers caught him.

Schwartz has been charged with Unlawful Driving Away of An Automobile, a felony offense which carries a sentence of up to five years in a state prison.

He was arraigned by Magistrate Brennan who set bond at $25,000, 10%.

Photo courtesy of the Ferndale Police