Pastor Marvin Winans Carjacked at Detroit Gas Station

**Zacha341** · May-16-12, 05:56 PM

From Detroit news article: Pastor Marvin L. Winans, the head of Perfecting Church, was still dazed as he spoke to Channel 7 [[WXYZ-TV) as the story was breaking.

Winans said he was buying gas at a Citgo station on Linwood near Davison on the city's west side when he was approached and assaulted.

"There was at least four of them who followed me out," said Winans, also an actor and a member of the Grammy-winning gospel family The Winans.

Winans was hit as he pumped gas.

He said the attackers also grabbed at his pants. He said he didn't know if the men knew who he is but if they did "it didn't matter."

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz1v4mivAIz

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news...on-20120516-ms

**Detroitej72** · May-16-12, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

He said he didn't know if the men knew who he is but if they did "it didn't matter."

Savages like this care little about who their victims are. The area where the attack happened is quite a busy commercial strip, I'm sure somebody had to see something.

Occurrence · May-17-12, 10:00 AM

Since he belongs to a church, why didn't God protect him from getting attacked?

**Zacha341** · May-17-12, 10:31 AM

Hah! That's almost funny, but seriously - and in just in brief so as to not take this into a theological discussion - the Bible states that "For he [[God) makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45.... NOW I am not arguing or debating about how JUST or perfect this pastor is, but that scripture helps to explain why bad things happen to good people.

If that Christian perspective is annoying or objectionable, check out the book "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" by jewish writer Harold S. Kushner or some of the Hindu teachings that attempt to give answer to this seeming irony.

Originally Posted by Occurrence

Since he belongs to a church, why didn't God protect him from getting attacked?

**313WX** · May-16-12, 06:07 PM

Who in their right mind would stop at a fucking gas station on Linwood and Davison?

EDIT: I'm glad he's ok, it just doesn't seem like a very intelligent decision, especially if you're supposedly a high-profile individual.

EDIT #2: With a Rolex watch on at that...

**internet_pseudopod** · May-16-12, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Who in their right mind would stop at a fucking gas station on Linwood and Davison?

EDIT: I'm glad he's ok, it just doesn't seem like a very intelligent decision, especially if you're supposedly a high-profile individual.

EDIT #2: With a Rolex watch on at that...

Well isn't his church somewhere near Davison? It seems like it would be a route that he drives regularly. Besides, if he really needed gas there is any place else too much safer along that route if he was headed to 96. Bottom line is that is that if we[[as a city, county or state) can't make an effort to secure the area around a major connecting freeway we might as well pack it in.

**Zacha341** · May-16-12, 07:00 PM

^^^^ Perfecting Church is on Nevada on the east side of Detroit off of Van Dyke. Perhaps he was visiting someone or conducting business in the Davison/ Linwood area.

**nain rouge** · May-16-12, 07:13 PM

We're forgetting two other common excuses - he must've been down there for drugs, or he must've owed somebody money.

**evergreen** · May-16-12, 07:26 PM

This is why the city can't even give away houses. This was five o'clock in the afternoon in broad daylight and this man was set upon by a pack of predators. I especially detest the pack mentality where a lone individual is attacked by a mini-mob. This seems to be happening all over the country. I minimize my time in any public space in the city of Detroit, except parts of downtown and then only during daylight.

**softailrider** · May-16-12, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Who in their right mind would stop at a fucking gas station on Linwood and Davison?

EDIT: I'm glad he's ok, it just doesn't seem like a very intelligent decision, especially if you're supposedly a high-profile individual.

EDIT #2: With a Rolex watch on at that...

I would buy gas there, I think I have actually. During the daylight, I probably wouldn't think twice. At night I wouldn't do it.

**Zacha341** · May-16-12, 08:25 PM

I would not. I only use two gas stations in Detroit, when I must. One has a bouncer/ security guy I know that watches out. The other is near WSU, well lit and somewhat safer, so far, in as much as WSU and Detroit police cruisers frequent it.

Originally Posted by softailrider

I would buy gas there, I think I have actually. During the daylight, I probably wouldn't think twice. At night I wouldn't do it.

**softailrider** · May-16-12, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Who in their right mind would stop at a fucking gas station on Linwood and Davison?

EDIT: I'm glad he's ok, it just doesn't seem like a very intelligent decision, especially if you're supposedly a high-profile individual.

EDIT #2: With a Rolex watch on at that...

Well then, why would they have a gas station at Linwood and Davison? By your rationale it shouldn't exist.

**Zacha341** · May-16-12, 08:21 PM

Gas stations have proven to be one of the heartier of business found in even some of the tougher areas such as this. The level of crime found at some of these stations is what should be exist less! What is your point?

Originally Posted by softailrider

Well then, why would they have a gas station at Linwood and Davison? By your rationale it shouldn't exist.

**softailrider** · May-16-12, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Gas stations have proven to be one of the heartier of business found in even some of the tougher areas such as this. The level of crime found at some of these stations is what should be in less existance! What is your point?

I agree with what you wrote. I was replying to the post about who in there right mind would buy gas on that corner.

**Zacha341** · May-16-12, 08:31 PM

I hear that. Perhaps it was not his regular station. To avoid being pushed on 'e' I am not letting my tank get below a quarter full... that's hard to do sometimes.

Originally Posted by softailrider

I agree with what you wrote. I was replying to the post about who in there right mind would buy gas on that corner.

**Cooper** · May-16-12, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Who in their right mind would stop at a fucking gas station on Linwood and Davison?

EDIT: I'm glad he's ok, it just doesn't seem like a very intelligent decision, especially if you're supposedly a high-profile individual.

EDIT #2: With a Rolex watch on at that...

Thousands of people every day. Davison between Dexter and Linwood is one of the busiest commercial corridors in the city of Detroit. There's a full size grocery store, a hardware store, a Foot Locker, a half dozen national fast food chains, three beauty supply stores, a flower shop, and a whole lot more.

Is it beautiful? No. Is it perfectly safe? Evidently not. But an awful lot of people go about their daily lives there. Davison alone sees 40,000 cars a day, and most of those drivers don't get carjacked when they stop for gas.

That doens't mean it's perfectly safe, or that it's a wise idea to get your gas there -- particularly at that Citgo, which is considerably shadier than the well kept Mobil across the street -- but let's not act like folks living or passing through Detroit are out of their minds for purchasing basic services at one of the busiest intersections in the city.

**Zacha341** · May-16-12, 08:59 PM

No place on the globe is 'perfectly' safe. Of course. That's a straw man argument.

This particular area is not very safe. This station is not far from the station suspected of selling a pop can of gas someone used to torch the house Maria Smith was found murdered in... There are 'safer' areas of commerce and business, even within the city. I make it my business to try to do business in those areas.

Originally Posted by Cooper

Thousands of people every day. Davison between Dexter and Linwood is one of the busiest commercial corridors in the city of Detroit. There's a full size grocery store, a hardware store, a Foot Locker, a half dozen national fast food chains, three beauty supply stores, a flower shop, and a whole lot more.

Is it beautiful? No. Is it perfectly safe? Evidently not. But an awful lot of people go about their daily lives there. Davison alone sees 40,000 cars a day, and most of those drivers don't get carjacked when they stop for gas.

That doens't mean it's perfectly safe, or that it's a wise idea to get your gas there -- particularly at that Citgo, which is considerably shadier than the well kept Mobil across the street -- but let's not act like folks living or passing through Detroit are out of their minds for purchasing basic services at one of the busiest intersections in the city.

**Cooper** · May-16-12, 09:15 PM

No place on the globe is 'perfectly' safe. Of course. That's a straw man argument.

This particular area is not very safe. There are 'safer' areas of commerce and business. I make it my business to try to do business in those areas.

That's fair. I didn't mean to repeat the phrasing. I also respect your decision to carefully choose where you purchase gas. Like you, I frequent a gas station near WSU. It costs more, but I feel safe there, even at night.

I just don't think, as 313WX implies, that buying gas at Davison and Linwood at 5 pm is an outrageous decision. Lots of people do it, and there were probably three other cars and a half dozen people there when he pulled in. I think this crime says more about the safety of getting gas anywhere in Detroit than it does about the danger of that particular time and location.

**Zacha341** · May-16-12, 09:48 PM

I get you, it should not be an outrageous decision, should it? I think we are seeing a 'shift' in that what used be reasonable is becoming less.

I have family living over there, off Linwood and Dexter, streets such as Waverly, Tyler and Fullerton, Livernois Ave. are very familiar. It's taking a big turn downward. Recall Russell Woods was pretty well maintained. Now people are getting out, and a wave of crime moving in.

The bigger problem is the expanding crime wave, middle of the day? Well dang! Be safe, or at least safer...

Originally Posted by Cooper

That's fair. I didn't mean to repeat the phrasing. I also respect your decision to carefully choose where you purchase gas. Like you, I frequent a gas station near WSU. It costs more, but I feel safe there, even at night.

I just don't think, as 313WX implies, that buying gas at Davison and Linwood at 5 pm is an outrageous decision. Lots of people do it, and there were probably three other cars and a half dozen people there when he pulled in. I think this crime says more about the safety of getting gas anywhere in Detroit than it does about the danger of that particular time and location.

**afoley** · May-16-12, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

No place on the globe is 'perfectly' safe. Of course. That's a straw man argument.

This particular area is not very safe. This station is not far from the station suspected of selling a pop can of gas someone used to torch the house Maria Smith was found murdered in... There are 'safer' areas of commerce and business, even within the city. I make it my business to try to do business in those areas.

I live in this area. Like someone said above, Davison is heavily trafficked, and the other three corners of that intersection are all occupied, plus all the nearby businesses. I frequent all three corners [[I don't eat KFC, so one corner is out) and everything nearby, and have had no problem. That corner is also on at least two bus lines, served by crossing guards in the morning and in the afternoon,

This, IMO, is an isolated incident, one that unfortunately involves a megachurch pastor with a famous last name. We can take the inevitable licks from the national media because of those circumstances, but I'm disappointed to see Detroiters casting drive-by judgment based on street name alone.

I think it's unfair to link the Mariha Smith case -- which originated in the Dexter/Elmhurst area, btw -- to the carjacking. The entire Linwood/Davison/Dexter/Livernois area, like everywhere in Detroit, has to be treated on a street-by-street basis. Tyler Street, where Mariha was found, has quite a few burned-out homes. Go one street over to Buena Vista or Glendale, and it's almost the opposite -- almost suburban. The perimeter, commercialized streets have been hit by blight. Drive into the side streets, and you'll see manicured lawns and kids playing. And believe it or not, people -- slowly -- have been restoring some of the salvageable vacant flats in the area. We've even got a new grocery store -- one that doesn't price-gouge and sell old meat, either.

It gets weary having to defend the area [[while at the same time seeing worldwide praise for the trendy Midtowns and Woodbridges where my friends are getting held up/cars broken into/accosted by transients/calling the cops on drunks), but I have faith. It'll get there someday. Meanwhile, we've got another black eye to heal from.

**Zacha341** · May-16-12, 09:56 PM

Point well stated. I am listening. I've lived near there, and at one time on Commonwealth in WBridge and now very near to Midtown. You best be on the look out in all areas. Yep, another black eye for sure. But, I think the block-by-block thing is starting to stretch out section-by-section though.

Where's this new store? The one up on Davison near the KFC....? It's not that new...?

Originally Posted by afoley

I think it's unfair to link the Mariha Smith case -- which originated in the Dexter/Elmhurst area, btw -- to the carjacking. The entire Linwood/Davison/Dexter/Livernois area, like everywhere in Detroit, has to be treated on a street-by-street basis. Tyler Street, where Mariha was found, has quite a few burned-out homes.

Go one street over to Buena Vista or Glendale, and it's almost the opposite -- almost suburban. The perimeter, commercialized streets have been hit by blight. Drive into the side streets, and you'll see manicured lawns and kids playing. And believe it or not, people -- slowly -- have been restoring some of the salvageable vacant flats in the area. We've even got a new grocery store -- one that doesn't price-gouge and sell old meat, either.

It gets weary having to defend the area [[while at the same time seeing worldwide praise for the trendy Midtowns and Woodbridges where my friends are getting held up/cars broken into/accosted by transients/calling the cops on drunks), but I have faith. It'll get there someday. Meanwhile, we've got another black eye to heal from.

**canuck** · May-17-12, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by afoley

I live in this area. Like someone said above, Davison is heavily trafficked, and the other three corners of that intersection are all occupied, plus all the nearby businesses. I frequent all three corners [[I don't eat KFC, so one corner is out) and everything nearby, and have had no problem. That corner is also on at least two bus lines, served by crossing guards in the morning and in the afternoon,

This, IMO, is an isolated incident, one that unfortunately involves a megachurch pastor with a famous last name. We can take the inevitable licks from the national media because of those circumstances, but I'm disappointed to see Detroiters casting drive-by judgment based on street name alone.

I think it's unfair to link the Mariha Smith case -- which originated in the Dexter/Elmhurst area, btw -- to the carjacking. The entire Linwood/Davison/Dexter/Livernois area, like everywhere in Detroit, has to be treated on a street-by-street basis. Tyler Street, where Mariha was found, has quite a few burned-out homes. Go one street over to Buena Vista or Glendale, and it's almost the opposite -- almost suburban. The perimeter, commercialized streets have been hit by blight. Drive into the side streets, and you'll see manicured lawns and kids playing. And believe it or not, people -- slowly -- have been restoring some of the salvageable vacant flats in the area. We've even got a new grocery store -- one that doesn't price-gouge and sell old meat, either.

It gets weary having to defend the area [[while at the same time seeing worldwide praise for the trendy Midtowns and Woodbridges where my friends are getting held up/cars broken into/accosted by transients/calling the cops on drunks), but I have faith. It'll get there someday. Meanwhile, we've got another black eye to heal from.

Right, I checked out the streetview of the area when this thread was just started and noticed the mix of chic and shabby. There are plenty of good decent folk out there doing their best. That is the most touching thing about Detroit IMO.

**Scottathew** · May-16-12, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Who in their right mind would stop at a fucking gas station on Linwood and Davison?

I once had to stop at Contant and Davison for gas at night. I was scared shitless.

I hope the pastor is OK. Did anyone notice how this got a large police response when other instances go without a response? Do mega-pastors get preferential treatment?

I was also very concerned about the police officer that got mowed over the other day. But I also noticed that it seems they got an ambulance rather quickly, and that the ambulance got a very, very large police escort. Looked like 15-20 squad cars.

I found that rather curious when the average citizen seems to have difficulty getting prompt police and EMS responses.

**mauser** · May-18-12, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by 48091

Did anyone notice how this got a large police response when other instances go without a response? Do mega-pastors get preferential treatment? I was also very concerned about the police officer that got mowed over the other day. But I also noticed that it seems they got an ambulance rather quickly, and that the ambulance got a very, very large police escort. Looked like 15-20 squad cars. I found that rather curious when the average citizen seems to have difficulty getting prompt police and EMS responses.

Amen to that, pun intended. I dont give a crap who this fat rich guy is - but apparently he is much better than normal people because he has a bunch of money.

I would get gas at that station any time of day or night. But I am not covered in gold purchased with money donated by people of modest means. Nor do I drive a giant purple Lexus luxury SUV. Nobody would waste their time robbing my broke ass, and they wouldnt get too far speeding off in the car I drive in the city.

And where is Homeland Security and Delta Force ? Didnt anybody alert Delta Force that their help is needed to protect a rich guy ? Is the FBI here yet ? What is this nation coming to when it can not protect the wealthy ?

If one of us were carjacked there would be no police response, no recovered vehicle, no press conference, no news reports.

**Zacha341** · May-18-12, 06:56 AM

What evidence do you have that the criminal element out there plying their trade of car jacking and robberies is exclusive to those covered in gold, driving flashy cars? If there is an 'exclusion' clause, I shall resume getting my gas at questionable gas stations... Oh Happy DAYS!

Originally Posted by mauser

I would get gas at that station any time of day or night. But I am not covered in gold purchased with money donated by people of modest means. Nor do I drive a giant purple Lexus luxury SUV. Nobody would waste their time robbing my broke ass, and they wouldnt get too far speeding off in the car I drive in the city.