PASTOR MARVIN WINANS ROBBED AND CARJACKED

P astor Marvin Winans was assaulted and carjacked Wednesday afternoon at a gas station in Detroit on the city’s west side. The attack happened about 3:20 p.m., and the suspects fled with a wallet containing $200, a $15,000 rolex, and his 2012 Infiniti QX56 SUV. Pastor Winans, of Perfecting Church, says he went inside the gas station to pay when he noticed a group of young men hanging inside the store not buying anything. He said he thought it was strange, but he went about his business. One young man approached him, “engaged him in conversation about the music he had on the radio,” then told him gas was spilling from his tank.

Pastor Winans turned to look and seconds later was punched from behind. “Three or four men punched and kicked him on the pavement. Somebody said, Roll him over, and they got his wallet,” Detroit police inspector Nick Kyriacou said.

“I was on the ground and then they went to kicking me and trying to get the money out of my pocket,” said Pastor Winans. “When I stood up I called on Jesus, I said Jesus, and they started running. I got up and my car was gone.” Pastor Winans suffered several cuts and bruises to his face, hands and arms. His pants were also torn to shreds.

“I’m just saddened that it has come to this,” Pastor Winans said. “This kind of nonsense just has to stop. It’s just the savageness of what’s happening in the street.”

He also believes his attackers didn’t recognize him. “And if they did, it didn’t make much difference,” said Pator Winans, who is pastor of the 4,500-member Perfecting Church on Detroit’s east side.