A Valentine’s Day side hustle on Detroit’s east side turned violent yesterday when a woman selling gift baskets says she was assaulted and robbed by three men who made off with her entire stock. In a Facebook Live video recorded after the incident, she told viewers the men grabbed every basket she had and ran, leaving her shaken as last-minute holiday shoppers moved through the neighborhood around her.
What the seller recorded
According to Metro Detroit News, the seller, identified as Kim Braxton, said three men approached her at the intersection of Houston, Whittier and Gratiot and first asked about prices. In her video, Braxton said the situation quickly escalated, that she was struck in the face, and that the men took all of her Valentine’s Day baskets before fleeing. She said she contacted Detroit police after the attack.
Where it happened
The encounter unfolded at the busy crossing of Gratiot Avenue and Houston-Whittier Street on Detroit’s east side, a commercial stretch known for constant traffic and neighborhood foot traffic. MapQuest identifies the location as Gratiot Ave & Houston Whittier St.
Holiday safety and scams
State officials have recently urged consumers to stay alert during Valentine’s Day shopping, a period when rushed buying and cash deals can open the door to theft and fraud. A recent advisory warned Michiganders to watch for scams and suspicious sellers, especially online and in informal street transactions, according to WILX.
Police were contacted
Metro Detroit reports that Braxton contacted the Detroit Police Department after the robbery and that the three suspects ran from the scene. As of the latest media coverage, authorities have not announced any arrests in the case, and anyone with information or video of the incident is being asked to contact Detroit police.
The episode highlights the risks small independent sellers can face when they set up shop on neighborhood corners. For now, Braxton’s Facebook Live video remains the most detailed public account of what happened as investigators continue to follow up.
