FERNDALE, Mich. – David Lee Swanigan has been charged in connection to the attack of a 65-year-old woman Friday in Ferndale. Swanigan was charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm during commission of a felony and felon in possession of a firearm.
Bond was set at $500,000 cash/surety.
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Ferndale police say he attacked the woman Friday afternoon when she was walking home from downtown.
Police say the woman was in the area of 9 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue when Swanigan, who had been following her, grabbed her, dragged her into the doorway of an apartment building and pointed a gun at her while demanding her money.
The woman fought Swanigan and screamed for help, according to police. A man driving by saw what was happening and stopped. Swanigan fled on foot.
The passerby drove the woman to the police station. Another witness already had called 911. Officers had a description and were out looking for Swanigan. They found him and chased him on foot, during which he ditched the gun. The chase didn't last long as police were able to take him into custody. He is a 36-year-old man who is on parole, police said.
The woman suffered only minor injuries.
Ferndale police applaud the two people who saw what was happening and jumped into action to help make sure the robbery was foiled and the attacker was caught.