State Roundup

Mount Clemens 86-year-old store owner says no to would-be robber MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) -- When a would-be robber showed up at a southeast Michigan ice cream and convenience store, the 86-year-old owner said no. Irene Szlachtowicz tells The Macomb Daily for a Wednesday story that she wasn't afraid when the 17-year-old walked into Miller Bros. Creamery in Mount Clemens around midday Oct. 2 wearing a coat and a hood covering most of his face. Szlachtowicz recalled that he asked for a small cigar and demanded cash. She told him "I can't do that" before a potential customer pulled up in a pickup truck. The teen fled with the cigar and was followed by the customer, who called police. The teen was arrested. The teen pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery on Nov 2. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 13. Hastings Fleeing suspect found in Michigan leaf pile HASTINGS, Mich. (AP) -- Authorities say a Michigan police officer found a fleeing suspect hiding in a leaf pile with help from thermal imaging device. The Grand Rapids Press reports the officer in Hastings, about 30 miles southeast of Grand Rapids, responded Friday to an alarm at a restaurant and saw a man running from the area. The officer lost the man but soon found him in the leaf pile. Police say the man then ran and jumped into a river. He was caught after apparently changing clothes at a motel. Police found a backpack belonging to the man with waste from methamphetamine making inside the backpack and say he likely was making meth in the motel room. The man was held on a probation violation. He was expected to face drug charges. Auburn Hills Solar company suspends production, plans job cuts AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Solar energy product maker Energy Conversion Devices Inc. says it has temporarily suspended manufacturing and is planning about 500 job cuts. The Auburn Hills-based company announced Tuesday that manufacturing has been halted because of excess inventory. The company says about 400 workers will be furloughed at its manufacturing facilities in Michigan, Mexico and Ontario, Canada. The production cuts include United Solar Ovonic facilities in Greenville, where more than 140 layoffs recently were announced. Other Michigan manufacturing facilities are in Auburn Hills. The company said that to help cut costs about 500 full-time job cuts were expected by the end of the year. Energy Conversion Devices has been restructuring its operations since May. It said it expects to return to normal production levels within 60 days. Indiana Attorney sentenced for aiding fake priest's fraud SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- A northern Indiana attorney has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for helping a man posing as a priest scam money from nearly 100 people. A federal judge on Tuesday also ordered Thomas Lewis of South Bend to pay $1.5 million in restitution. He pleaded guilty in August to aiding and abetting mail and wire fraud. He was accused of helping Byron Canada of Berrien Springs, Mich., bilk money over a seven-year period. The South Bend Tribune reports Lewis told the judge that he is haunted by the suffering he caused. Canada has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for defrauding real estate developers and churches of more than $2.7 million while posing as a priest associated with the University of Notre Dame. Battle Creek Woman dies after being attacked with baseball bat BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) -- Police say a 69-year-old woman has died after being attacked with a baseball bat by her son-in-law at a house in Battle Creek. The Battle Creek Enquirer reports Joan Roush died following the attack Tuesday. Police say her 49-year-old son-in-law was found at the house and was arrested. Officers say he also attacked Roush's husband, who had what were described as minor injuries. The son-in-law was being held at the Calhoun County jail. Police say he had been served with a personal protection order by his wife. Joan Roush and her husband were at the house to change locks. An autopsy was planned and the attack was under investigation. Published: Thu, Nov 10, 2011