Man charged with dropping concrete paver on man
Police say an argument had occured between the two men prior
A homeless man is charged with felony assault in Royal Oak after police say he dropped a concrete paver on the head of another homeless-man who was sleeping.
The suspect, Steven J. Stribling, 48, of Highland Park, is charged with felonious assault with intent to cause great bodily harm.
He was jailed on $75,000 cash bond Wednesday at his arraignment before 44th District Court Magistrate Donald Chisholm.
Stribling’s criminal history includes convictions for assault and battery, stalking, false pretenses, and domestic violence.
Police in a news release Friday said the incident happened around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday after the suspect and the other man got into an argument.
Both men had been sleeping on the porch of the Genesis Church, 309 N. Main Street.
Royal Oak police Sgt. Richard Millard said it is unclear what Stribling and the other man argued about.
The suspect left the area after arguing with theman, who went back to sleep.
But the suspect returned, picked up a cement paver and dropped it on the other man’s head, police said.
“The victim made his way down to Leo’s Coney and asked a female pedestrian to call 911 for him,” Millard said. “She did so and we responded to his location.”
Police said the man Stribling assaulted suffered injuries to his mouth and face, and hewas taken to Beaumont Hospital after police learned of the assault.
Another homeless man witnessed the incident and told police the suspect’s first name.
Police checked the area and found Stribling at Seventh Street and Lafayette. He had a warrant out for his arrest for shoplifting in Oak Park and was arrested.
Stribling is due back in Royal Oak court Oct. 16 for a hearing before Judge Derek Meinecke.
Stribling faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the charge against him.