Armed Macomb Co. Man Crashes Into 7-11, Threatens To Kill Workers: PD

WARREN, MI — A man is facing charges after crashing his car into a Warren 7-11 store and threatening to kill employees and customers last week, according to police.

Brian Steele, 46, of Warren, was charged with one count of assault with intent to rob while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of malicious destruction of a building.

He was placed in jail with a bond set at $250,000. If he posts bond, he will have to wear a GPS tether. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 7.

Police said Steele crashed his car into the 7-11 convenience store at 12 Mile and Schoenherr roads in Warren at 11:58 p.m. last Friday.

He then exited the car and threaten to kill customers and employees while brandishing knives, according to police.

Several of the employees locked themselves in a back room, according to police.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Steele outside the store holding two knives and bleeding from self-inflicted wounds, according to police.

Steele's girlfriend was standing next to him at the time, according to police.

Officers told Steele to drop the knives, but he responded "kill me, kill me," to which the officers responded, "nobody wants to kill you," according to police.

As officers continued pleading with Steele to drop the knives, his girlfriend was able to safely get away, according to police.

Additional officers arrived and tased Steele, causing him to fall to the ground and drop the knives, according to police.

Officers then arrested Steele in connection with the incident and took him to a nearby hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

There were no other injuries in the incident.

Steele has several previous felony convictions for breaking and entering, home invasion, retail fraud and larceny and was on parole at the time of Friday's incident, according to police.