A routine shoplifting stop at a Sterling Heights Walmart ended with prison time for an Eastpointe man, after prosecutors say he tried to stab an officer in the face with a screwdriver during a chaotic arrest in the store’s parking lot.
On April 16, 2026, a judge sentenced 32-year-old Joshua Mills of Eastpointe to a five-to-twenty-year term for assault with intent to do great bodily harm, along with additional shorter terms for related counts. Prosecutors say he also picked up a one-year sentence for second-degree retail fraud and two-to-four-year terms for resisting or assaulting officers, all ordered to run at the same time. Mills was credited with 193 days already served, according to CBS Detroit.
What Happened At The Walmart
According to Macomb County prosecutors, Sterling Heights officers were called to the Van Dyke Walmart on Oct. 5, 2025, after a person walked out without paying for merchandise. When officers caught up with the suspect and deployed a Taser, authorities say Mills, who was on the ground, suddenly sat up and tried to stab an officer in the face with a screwdriver, narrowly missing before a struggle ended with his arrest. That account comes from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Plea And Court Timeline
Court filings show Mills pleaded no contest in March 2026 and returned to court for sentencing on April 16. He had been held on a $500,000 cash/surety bond in the months leading up to the plea and at one point requested a criminal-responsibility assessment, according to local court reporting. ClickOnDetroit reported on the plea and scheduling.
Sentence Details And Court Orders
At the April 16 hearing, the judge ordered Mills to have no contact with the Sterling Heights Walmart or the officers involved. He was also barred from any assaultive, intimidating, or threatening behavior toward the complaining witness. Prosecutors say the multiple prison terms will run concurrently, with the longest term to be served in state custody. The judge also credited Mills with 193 days already served.
Prosecutor Reaction
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido cast the sentence as a direct response to the seriousness of the case. In a county statement, he said that "today's sentencing reflects the seriousness of the defendant's actions - violence against a spouse and an attack on law enforcement," according to the county news release. The prosecutor’s office added that it intends to continue pursuing justice in the matter. The statement was issued by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Local Coverage And What Comes Next
Hoodline previously covered the arraignment and early court steps back in October; see our earlier look at the charges for that rundown. Other local outlets, including FOX 2, followed the case from the start, detailing the original confrontation and resulting charges as they were filed. FOX 2 Detroit reported the initial account from prosecutors.
