What should have been a simple wash at a Dearborn Heights car wash ended in a hospital trip, a concussion and broken bones, according to a local family now publicly demanding justice.
Relatives say an employee at Tony's Car Wash in Dearborn Heights allegedly assaulted their brother, who has disabilities, leaving him with a concussion and multiple broken bones. The family shared photos showing a black eye, a visible knot on his head and bruising across his face. They say he was punched and kicked and want the worker arrested and prosecuted.
According to ClickOnDetroit, sisters Alina Hammoud and Simone Elatab said their brother, identified as Claude, pulled into the car wash line to have a family vehicle cleaned when the car stalled while he was waiting. Hammoud told the station, "When I saw him, I was terrified," and the family said Claude is now dealing with a concussion and a broken hand and wrist. They told the outlet they are pushing for "justice" - including jail time and probation - for the person they say attacked him.
Where It Happened
Tony's Car Wash, at 6539 N Telegraph Road in Dearborn Heights, lists its address and hours on its Tony's Car Wash site and advertises decades of service to the community. The business' online pages describe it as a family-run operation under recent management and include contact information for the location.
Investigation Underway
Local 4 reporters went to the car wash seeking comment, but a man who identified himself as the manager declined to speak and would not provide the owner's number, the station reported. The Dearborn Heights Police Department denied a records request, saying disclosure would "interfere with law enforcement proceedings," and an officer told the station a warrant request has been submitted to the local prosecutor's office for the suspect. Prosecutors will review the request before deciding whether to file formal charges, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Advocacy And Reporting Resources
The family says they want accountability, and advocates note that people with disabilities can be especially vulnerable to violence and neglect. For suspected abuse or neglect, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains a statewide reporting line at 1-855-444-3911, and Disability Rights Michigan offers advocacy and legal help for people with disabilities.
What Comes Next Legally
Under Michigan rules, prosecutors generally must review any warrant request, and a district court magistrate may issue an arrest warrant only after finding probable cause based on a signed complaint. The Michigan Court Administrative Office's benchbook explains that a magistrate issues a warrant only when a prosecutor has signed the complaint and there is reasonable cause to believe a crime was committed. That means the next steps could include an arrest, arraignment and formal charges if prosecutors decide to move forward - or no charges if the prosecutor declines.
