DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – A family is demanding justice after they say a Dearborn Heights car wash employee assaulted their brother, who has disabilities.
Leaving him with serious injuries, including a concussion and broken bones.
“When I saw him, I was terrified,” said his sister, Alina Hammoud. “He has a concussion, he has a broken hand and wrist.”
The family said the incident happened last week after their brother, Claude, drove to Tony’s Car Wash on Telegraph Road in Dearborn Heights to have their parents’ car cleaned. While he was in line, the car stalled.
According to the family, an employee came over to help with the situation.
The sisters said Claude told them the worker became angry when other customers started driving away, because things were taking a bit of time.
“He punched my brother in the head,” Simone Elatab said. “He fell to the ground. My brother says he was being kicked in the head.”
Elatab said this boiled her blood.
Photos the family shared show Claude with a black eye, a knot on his head, and bruises across his face.
“I was terrified, especially knowing that he’s already got a brain injury,” Hammoud said. “I knew that these were detrimental to his health.”
Local 4 went to the car wash on Telegraph Road to get their side of what happened.
A man who identified himself as the manager said he didn’t want to speak. He also denied our request to get the owner’s number.
In addition to going to the business, we called and emailed. We’re waiting for a response back.
Local 4 also requested the police report for this incident. An email was sent denying the request, stating “Disclosure would:(i) Interfere with law enforcement proceedings - Open investigation.”
When Local 4 contacted the Dearborn Heights Police Department, an officer who was familiar with the case and didn’t want to be named, said the case “has been investigated and a warrant request has been submitted to the local prosecutor’s office.”
The officer said the warrant request is for the suspect in the case, but would not provide the suspect’s identity or position at the car wash.
He also explained that a warrant request means prosecutors will decide whether to file criminal charges.
Hammoud said the family wants accountability for what happened to their brother.
“We want justice,” she said. “Justice for us would be for him to get some jail time and some probation.”
She added that an apology from the man accused of attacking Claude would also be an important step.