Madison Heights

Suspect arrested in beating at car wash

By Andy Kozlowski
C & G Staff Writer

Madison police have captured one of several men believed to have been involved in the beating of two people at a local car wash.

At press time, the search continued for the remaining suspects.

Shawn Patrick Nesbitt, 28, of Clinton Township, was arraigned by Magistrate Kimberly Wilson in Madison Heights 43rd District Court Feb. 19.

He is charged with two counts of armed robbery, punishable by up to life in prison, and two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, less than murder, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, or a $5,000 fine.

Nesbitt is being held on a $1.5 million cash or surety bond, with a preliminary exam scheduled for Feb. 27.

The incident occurred around 11:11 p.m. Feb. 15, when an off-duty Madison Heights police officer chanced upon what appeared to be a suspicious vehicle parked in the dark alley of a Walgreens at 11 Mile and John R.

The officer decided to move in and see what was up. That’s when he observed, at the neighboring Super Six Car Wash, an attack in progress.

Unknown suspects had surrounded a person in a car wash stall and appeared to be hitting him with some sort of object.

The officer made a 911 call. The suspects turned and fled, hopping a wall to the north that separates the Super Six Car Wash from the Walgreens. According to police, It turned out the vehicle sitting in the alley with its lights out was their getaway vehicle.

The officer relayed a description of the suspect vehicle, including license plate information, to police dispatch. Police reinforcements and firefighters/paramedics arrived at the car wash in short order.

Two victims were found, both 35-year-old male residents of Rochester Hills. Both had been hit multiple times with baseball bats and were taken to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak for treatment of their wounds.

According to police, the suspects were described as a trio of white men in hooded sweatshirts, all in their early 20s. Police located what they believe to be the suspect vehicle and arrested Nesbitt in the process.

In a statement via email, Madison Heights Police Lt. Robert Anderson said that investigations are ongoing.

“Our detectives are actively pursuing leads to identify the others involved,” he wrote.

The court had no record of an attorney for Nesbitt.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at akozlowski@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1104.