Royal Oak Police Assist Suspect Who Stabbed Himself

ROYAL OAK, MI — A 62-year-old Fenton man suspected of stealing a car in Berkley was taken into custody by Royal Oak police early Monday after stabbing himself in the leg multiple times with a knife. No charges have been filed against the man, who is recovering from his injuries at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak Police Lt. Keith Spencer said.

Officers were alerted by Berkley Police of a possible stolen vehicle. A Ford sedan was seen in the area of Harvard and Webster in Berklety, Spencer said. Royal Oak officers found the car parked in a Meijer parking lot at 5150 Coolidge Highway at about 5 a.m., he said.

Officers approached the vehicle and issued several commands to the Fenton man, who failed to comply. Spencer said the man then began stabbing himself in the thigh with a knife. Officers used batons to break a window and disarm him.

Officers then acted quickly to provide medical aid. Spencer said because of the severity of his injuries, officers applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding until emergency medical services arrived on scene.

“Initially, the officers thought the subject was just pounding on his steering wheel with his fist,” said Royal Oak Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue in a news release. “When they realized he was stabbing himself, they immediately closed in and disarmed him. Despite the risks to themselves, they knew they had to act quickly or the subject would likely kill himself.”

Two officers initially responded to the scene, but several others ended up providing assistance, Spencer said. None of the officers were injured, he added.

Despite his wounds, the Fenton man was still giving officers trouble as they tried to help him. “He was still being uncooperative,” Spencer said, “and not listening to commands.”
Spencer said the Fenton man didn’t indicate why he started stabbing himself. “Our officers were focused on taking care of his injuries. They did a great job.”

An investigation of the incident is ongoing, he said. The Fenton man has an extensive criminal history, according to a Royal Oak police news release. The 62-year-old is listed as a parole absconder with multiple felony convictions including, Fleeing and Eluding, Home Invasion, and Possession of Stolen Property and is believed to be involved in multiple larcenies in the area.

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