Detroit priest administers righteous beatdown to suspected car thief: 'Just another day'



The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest is a Roman Catholic society of apostolic life that boasts "solid and well-rounded" priests.

Rev. Canon Jean-Baptiste Commins, one of the institute's priests who has served as rector of Detroit's historic St. Joseph Shrine since 2021, demonstrated his solidity on Monday, coming out on top after a round with an 18-year-old suspect accused of stealing a car and crashing into another vehicle outside the church.

'I had to, unfortunately, give him a few punches.'

The young priest — a Franco-American citizen who grew up in a military family and was ordained in 2015 — told WJBK-TV that he was in the church parking lot when he heard the screech of tires followed by a loud crash.

Moments earlier, police spotted a vehicle they believed to have been stolen and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The suspect clearly had other ideas.

Commins, wearing his priestly cassock, bolted to the source of the commotion and spotted a bloody man wearing only one shoe fleeing the scene. Hearing a cry for someone to stop the one-shoed suspect who was running his way, Commins rushed in for an interception.

The priest tackled and, aided by a parishioner, detained the 18-year-old suspected car thief until police arrived on the scene.

Commins — sporting some scrapes on his knuckles and a pair of bandaged fingers — told WJBK that he "grabbed him and put him down."

RELATED: Five standout denunciations and warnings in Pope Leo XIV's new papal encyclical

Emily Elconin/Getty Images

"He was resisting a lot, trying to run away, definitely," the priest continued. "So I had to, unfortunately, give him a few punches and hurt my hand a little bit — nothing major — but making sure that there was no threat since I didn't know if he had a gun, if he had a weapon. It was definitely suspicious behavior and probably guilty of the accident."

After police officers took over for the man of God, Commins rushed back to the site of the accident to check whether the woman in the vehicle that had been struck needed any help, the sacraments, or perhaps even a blessing.

Although Commins said the woman was initially "not very responsive," police said the victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Commins told WJBK that once the situation outside his church was resolved, he said his prayers "as usual" and had dinner with the community.

"Just another day in the D!" Commins said, laughing.

The suspect was arrested in connection with the incident, and three others were detained. The Detroit Police Department did not immediately respond to Blaze News' request for comment.

The advocacy group CatholicVote called the priest "legendary."

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Gone in 60 seconds: How high-tech thieves can steal your car



For years, Americans were told newer cars would be harder to steal.

Smarter security and keyless entry were supposed to usher in a new era for car owners. Instead, car theft is becoming faster, quieter, and far more sophisticated.

Consumers shouldn’t have to rely on 1990s anti-theft devices to protect vehicles loaded with modern technology — but that's where we've arrived.

Federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C., recently charged six people tied to an international theft ring accused of stealing more than 100 vehicles in the D.C. area.

No smash and grab

It's how they did it that should make us all concerned: a simple handheld device that can reportedly program a new key fob directly into a vehicle’s system — sometimes in about a minute.

No broken window, no smashed ignition, no dramatic Hollywood-style escape.

Just unlock the vehicle, program a key, and drive away.

Handheld device

According to prosecutors, the group used a device known as an Autel to bypass vehicle security systems and generate working keys on the spot. These are tools designed for locksmiths and dealerships, but criminals are now using them to steal cars with alarming speed.

And this wasn’t random street crime.

Investigators say stolen vehicles were moved into parking garages and other “cool-off” locations where VIN numbers were altered, tracking systems disabled, and identifying information changed before the cars were shipped overseas — often hidden inside containers labeled as furniture.

The Autel MaxIM KM100 is commercially available online for a few hundred dollars. It’s small enough to fit in one hand and reportedly works on hundreds of vehicle models.

Automakers spent years selling convenience features as progress. But every layer of convenience also creates another possible vulnerability — something that criminals figured out quickly.

RELATED: Why Tesla’s latest road test could be BAD NEWS for Washington

NurPhoto/Getty Images

Daily drivers

The vehicles targeted in this case included mainstream models like Chevrolet Camaros, Corvettes, and Honda Civics — not rare exotics sitting behind gated mansions. This isn’t just a luxury-car problem anymore. It’s becoming a mainstream problem tied directly to how modern vehicles are designed.

When vehicles become easier to access electronically and harder to track once they disappear, organized crime adapts fast. And investigators believe this case may only expose part of a much larger network.

So what actually works now? Ironically, some of the best protections are old-school.

Police departments are once again recommending steering wheel locks and Faraday pouches because modern theft methods depend on speed. A visible steering wheel lock adds time and attention — two things thieves don’t want.

Consumers shouldn’t have to rely on 1990s anti-theft devices to protect vehicles loaded with modern technology — but that's where we've arrived.

Automakers have raced to add more connected features, more apps, and more digital access points. Security hasn’t always kept pace, and now the industry is dealing with the consequences.

There’s also a growing debate over devices like the Autel system itself. These tools absolutely serve legitimate purposes for repair shops and locksmiths. But critics argue there are too few restrictions on who can buy them and how they’re used.

That conversation is only going to get louder as these thefts continue spreading.

The next time you park your vehicle, the real question may not be whether someone can break into it.

It’s whether he can simply program his way in.

14-year-old car thieves slam stolen vehicle into Baltimore cop who opens fire as he's hit — and the crooks get away



A trio of 14-year-old car thieves slammed a stolen vehicle into a Baltimore police officer who opened fire as he was hit — and while the teens managed to get away from the scene, police said they arrested them days later.

Officer William Cole responded around 12:05 a.m. Sunday to an attempted break-in call, WBAL-TV reported.

'I need a medic!'

Police released Cole's body-worn camera video, which showed the officer arriving at the location on West Lombard Street; he soon encountered multiple people in a Kia sedan that backed up and struck a parked vehicle, the station said.

When Cole ordered the driver to stop, the driver backed up again and struck the officer, WBAL said, citing the video.

Police said Cole fired his gun once at the car as he fell, the station said, adding that the driver fled the scene and hit another vehicle as well as the officer's patrol car in the process.

Video then shows an injured man approaching the officer from across the street and collapsing.

The officer is heard saying on the bodycam video, "I need a medic! You good, bro? I got you. What's wrong, bro, you OK?"

RELATED: 3 males — ages 8, 11, 12 — steal car, crash into house; driver, 11, says he learned how to steal cars from YouTube: Cops

Police said the officer rendered aid to the 21-year-old injured man who was assaulted by multiple people before the officer's arrival at the scene, WBAL reported; the victim wasn't taken to a hospital.

However, the officer at the scene injured his ankle and was treated and released from a hospital, the station said.

Police told WBAL that officers found the Kia in question abandoned on South Arlington Avenue and that the vehicle was reported stolen Saturday from East Chase Street.

More from WBAL:

Police said detectives were able to identify two of the Kia's occupants as two 14-year-old boys who have prior charges of robbery and auto theft and were on electronic monitoring as a result. Detectives arrested the boys Monday on aggravated assault and auto theft charges. They remain detained at Juvenile Booking.

Police said detectives later identified the driver of the Kia as a 14-year-old girl. During her arrest on Tuesday, police said officers learned the girl had been treated at a hospital on Sunday for a wound to her right wrist. The girl's mother told detectives that the injury may be a gunshot graze wound; police said further investigation is needed to determine the cause of the injury. The girl was taken to Juvenile Booking, where she was charged with aggravated assault and stolen auto. She was later released on electronic monitoring.

Teen crime in Baltimore despite electronic monitoring is not a new phenomenon. Last summer, a 13-year-old with a GPS ankle monitor who had been arrested 18 times for felonies was charged in connection with a violent city crime spree.

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Armed crook breaks through window, orders elderly homeowner to turn over valuables — but victim fights back with his own gun



Police in Jacksonville, Florida, said they responded to a home around 12:41 p.m. Tuesday after a report that a person was shot, First Coast News said.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said a man believed to be in his 70s living in the home on Arlex Drive, off Merrill Road, reportedly told police that a male armed with a gun broke through a window in the back of the home, the outlet reported.

'Just glad to have another one, another one of these guys off the streets.'

The victim said he was ordered into a back bedroom and forced to hand over his car keys and other valuables, the outlet added, citing the sheriff's office.

But the elderly victim fought back.

The sheriff's office said the homeowner was able to grab a gun and managed to shoot the suspect once in the shoulder, the outlet reported.

The wounded suspect reportedly fled the home and drove off in the victim's car, First Coast News said.

However, the sheriff's office said police found the suspect inside the vehicle about 30 minutes later and took him into custody on Fort Caroline Road, near Jacksonville University — just a few miles from the scene of the home invasion, the outlet noted.

Brandon Meredith, who was driving along University Boulevard, told First Coast News he witnessed the suspect's capture.

"Everyone had their tasers drawn," Meredith told the outlet. "They're moving up in a special kind of formation on the back of the car, heard a pop, they grabbed him and pulled him out, put him on the ground, and EMS was tending to him, and they had the intersection shut down for about two hours while this whole thing unfolded."

RELATED: Elderly Texas homeowner armed with hunting rifle spots burglar who broke through back door. It doesn't end well for intruder.

The suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified, was taken to a hospital for the gunshot wound, the sheriff's office told First Coast News, and was in police custody.

Meredith added to the outlet that he's happy with the way things ended up: "Just glad to have another one, another one of these guys off the streets."

First Coast News said those with information about the incident that could help in the investigation can contact the sheriff's office at 904-630-0500. The outlet added that anonymous tips are also welcome through Crime Stoppers.

Commenters on WJAX's Facebook post about the incident expressed a variety of opinions about the outcome. The following are but a few of them:

  • "'In custody' means the homeowner needs some range time," one commenter asserted.
  • "Dang, people still dare to break in other houses in open carry state," another user opined.
  • "He's a hero," another commenter declared.
  • "The only problem I see is the homeowner needs some shooting lessons," another user wrote, adding "shoot for center mass, and this potentially eliminates the issue."
  • "In blue states and cities, this poor homeowner would have to face trial and have his life financially ruined (at best), or spend the rest of his life in prison," another commenter observed.

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Florida man steals car from gas station with 1-year-old in back seat — then soon ​returns car, apologizes to mother: Cops



A man stole a car from a gas station in Cocoa, Florida, last Tuesday with a 1-year-old child in the back seat — and then seconds later returned the vehicle and apologized to the mother, police said.

William Mullis, 53, is seen on surveillance video outside a Sunoco station off U.S. Highway 1 walking toward the victim’s car, WESH-TV reported, citing an arrest affidavit.

'In this case, she’s very lucky that this guy saw there was a child in the back seat, got a case of remorse, and decided to drive back and give her her car back with her child in it.'

Mullis drove toward the gas station exit, made a right turn on Highway 1 — but seconds later backed up, re-entered the gas station area, and parked in a space in front of the gas station store, WESH said.

The mother of the 1-year-old child ran out of the gas station store and confronted Mullis, WESH said, adding that the mother told investigators Mullis said he wouldn't have stolen the car had he known a baby was inside.

Mullis then apologized to her and left the area on foot, the station said.

“I’m sure this is a parent’s worst nightmare,” Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Tod Goodyear told WESH. “In this case, she’s very lucky that this guy saw there was a child in the back seat, got a case of remorse, and decided to drive back and give her her car back with her child in it.”

More from WESH:

Under Florida law, it is illegal for a parent or anyone responsible for a child younger than 6 unattended in a vehicle for more than 15 minutes. The vehicle can't be running, and the child may not be left alone if their health is in danger or they are in distress.

Goodyear said it appears the child was inside the car for only a few minutes. The mother is not facing any charges at this time.

“I have three kids. I have four grandkids, and it’s a pain to take the kids out of the car when you’re going in for just a short period of time,” Goodyear added to WESH. “But this kind of reinforces you never know what’s gonna happen. You never know who’s watching you.”

Mullis was arrested and booked into the Brevard County Jail for grand theft of a motor vehicle and kidnapping/confinement of a child under 13 years old, WOFL-TV reported, citing jail records and the arrest affidavit.

Jail records indicated Mullis was still behind bars Tuesday morning. WESH said he's being held without bond, and his next court date is in early November.

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Trump to patrol DC streets alongside law enforcement amid crime crackdown



President Donald Trump is taking matters into his own hands amid efforts to clean up the streets of the nation's capital.

Trump said he will be patrolling Washington, D.C., Thursday night alongside law enforcement to get a firsthand look at the state of crime in the city. Trump's patrol comes as he federalized the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed the National Guard earlier in the month to rein in violent crime in D.C.

'Within days of Trump's policies going into effect, crime rates plummeted across the city.'

“I’m going to be going out tonight, I think, with the police and with the military, of course," Trump told Todd Starnes Thursday. "So we’re going to do a job. The National Guard is great. They’ve done a fantastic job.”

RELATED: Vance unloads on safety-hating protesters in DC, punches through liberal media rhetoric

— (@)

In 2024, D.C. experienced the fourth-highest homicide rate in the country, at 27.3 per 100,000 residents, which is nearly six times higher than New York City. The most recent figures are also a sharp increase from just over a decade ago, when the homicide rate was 13.9 per 100,000 residents in 2012.

The increase in homicides is part of a greater trend showing a rise in violent crime in D.C. Just last year, there were 29,348 crimes reported in D.C., including 3,469 violent offenses, 1,026 assaults with a dangerous weapon, 2,113 robberies, and 5,139 motor vehicle thefts.

But within days of Trump's policies going into effect, crime rates plummeted across the city.

RELATED: President Trump's DC crime crackdown is getting results

— (@)

Recent reports show that D.C. has officially gone a whole week without a single homicide. Carjackings have also decreased by 83%, robberies have gone down 46%, car thefts have gone down 21%, and violent crime decreased by 22%.

As of Thursday, White House officials said there had been more than 630 arrests made since Trump took action on August 7. Of those arrests, 251 were illegal immigrants and three were known gang members.

"Until 4 days ago, Washington, D.C., was the most unsafe 'city' in the United States, and perhaps the World," Trump said in a Truth Social post Monday. "Now, in just a short period of time, it is perhaps the safest, and getting better every single hour! People are flocking to D.C. again, and soon, the beautification will begin!"

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Thug asks DoorDash driver for cash, then suddenly stabs him in face, chest — and steals his car, heads to strip club: Report



A male in north Texas reportedly was asking a DoorDash driver for money late last month when the male suddenly and repeatedly stabbed the driver in the face and chest. But that wasn't all.

Soon the suspect reportedly stole the DoorDash driver's vehicle — and then took it for a joyride to a local strip club before police arrested him.

'I learned that night you’ve got to be very careful about who you’re willing to help out because sometimes they will take advantage of that good nature.'

Jackson Oltmanns told KDFW-TV he was waiting on a to-go order at a Waffle House off West Rendon Crowley Road in Fort Worth when he said someone knocked on his car window asking for money.

With that, the 28-year-old told the station he decided to order the man some food and was "acting out of my good nature and just trying to be nice."

But Oltmanns added to KDFW that "literally the second I open my door to step out, he just starts stabbing me."

The station said the male — later identified by the Fort Worth Police Department as Quindarius Cartwright — swiped at Oltmanns nearly a dozen times.

Cartwright cut Oltmanns on his face and chest, KDFW said, adding that the victim was able to fight off the suspect.

Then the suspect reportedly stole Oltmanns' car — and took it for a joyride to a strip club in north Fort Worth before police arrested him, the station said.

"[I] genuinely thought I was going to die, it was so much blood," Oltmanns added to KDFW. "I walked in Waffle House, and they were freaking out. I mean, I’m sure it’s probably a traumatic thing for anyone to watch. Most of the stab wounds, like to the body, weren’t really too bad; it was just when he stabbed me in the face that it was ... really bad."

What's more, Oltmanns told the station he recently purchased his 2024 Toyota Camry and is working several jobs, including DoorDash.

His new car has seen better days.

"He definitely hit something pretty good, and it’s messed up the wheel," Oltmanns lamented in regard to his vehicle. "I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked for money by homeless people or just people out on the streets, and typically, [I] just to want to do a good thing for them, but I learned that night you’ve got to be very careful about who you’re willing to help out because sometimes they will take advantage of that good nature."

Cartwright was charged with aggravated robbery and remained in jail Wednesday afternoon on a $150,000 bond.

You can view a video report here about the incident.

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Man calls 911 about masked crooks breaking into cars. But one of them goes after caller — a big mistake, since he has a gun.



A homeowner in Shreveport, Louisiana, was outside smoking a cigarette around 3:30 a.m. Saturday when he saw two masked individuals breaking into cars on the street, KSLA-TV reported.

The homeowner called 911 to report what he was observing in the 7600 block of University Drive, the station said.

Detectives believe Lewis and at least one other person are responsible for a series of crimes in the area, including at least five vehicle burglaries, a firearm theft, and a motor vehicle theft, the station said.

However, while the homeowner was on the 911 call, one of the alleged burglars began to approach him, KSLA said.

The homeowner told the alleged burglar to stop approaching him, the station said, but those instructions reportedly went unheeded.

“Fearing for his and his family’s safety, the caller discharged his firearm twice, striking 18-year-old Jamelvion Lewis,” police Cpl. Chris Bordelon told KSLA.

Lewis was shot in his lower abdomen and right arm, authorities noted to the station.

Officers rendered aid to Lewis, who then was taken to Ochsner LSU Health for treatment of life-threatening injuries, KSLA said.

“His condition has since been upgraded to critical but stable, and doctors are hopeful he will make a full recovery,” Bordelon said of Lewis, according to the station.

The other burglary suspect escaped the scene in a stolen vehicle but abandoned it after traveling a short distance, KSLA reported, adding that the suspect ran off. Police are looking for him, the station added.

Lewis has been charged with one count of possession of a stolen firearm because officers discovered he had a gun later confirmed to have been reported stolen out of Bossier City, KSLA said, adding that additional charges are expected.

Detectives believe Lewis and at least one other person are responsible for a series of crimes in the area, including at least five vehicle burglaries, a firearm theft, and a motor vehicle theft, the station said.

Police said witnesses at the scene were taken to the Violent Crimes Unit for recorded interviews, KSLA added.

The homeowner surrendered his gun and fully cooperated with investigators, the station reported, adding that no charges are pending against him.

You can view a video report here about the incident.

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Man charged with murder after leaving car running while at ATM, shooting crook in head who jumped into car and drove off



A man was charged with murder after leaving his car running Friday while at an ATM in Philadelphia and shooting a male in the head who jumped into the car and drove off.

Officers responded after 3 p.m. to a shooting call at Frankford Avenue and Pratt Street, which is in the northeast section of the city, KYW-TV reported.

Police on Sunday said 39-year-old Sherwayne Garrison was charged with murder, KYW reported in a follow-up story.

Police told the station that a man using the ATM left his car running, and a male jumped into the car in an attempt to steal it. According to WPVI-TV, the 48-year-old male who jumped into the car ended up driving off with it — and the car owner fired one gunshot and hit the male in the head.

Police told WPVI the wounded male crashed the Honda into another car at Pratt Street outside the Frankford Transportation Center. Police added to KYW that the man who pulled the trigger is a licensed gun owner.

The police homicide unit told KYW the male who was shot was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m. the same day.

Authorities said Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Police took the man who pulled the trigger into custody, KYW added.

Police on Sunday said 39-year-old Sherwayne Garrison was charged with murder, KYW reported in a follow-up story. The deceased 48-year-old's identity isn't known at this time, the station also said.

You can view a video report here about the shooting. It aired prior to police filing the murder charge.

How are people reacting?

As you might guess, the murder charges elicited strong reactions. Here are a handful of comments under a pair of KYW Facebook posts about the situation:

  • "Saw this coming," one commenter said. "As sad as it is, he was under no immediate threat, and the guy was running away from him. Sad that the criminals have more rights than we do. Hope he has a good lawyer."
  • "Stupid law...what [is] the guy supposed to do...let the criminal steal his car??" another user asked.
  • "So we can't defend ourselves and/or our properties now!" another commenter exclaimed. "This will open doors to criminals and push them to hurt good citizens more!"
  • "Not a surprise, always defending the criminals," another user noted.

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Carjacking is on the rise; here's how you can protect yourself



Carjackings are on the rise — and they're no longer just confined to certain cities or neighborhoods.

Gas stations, parking lots, even the Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru — it could happen anywhere.

Whether you've just arrived somewhere or are about to leave, DON'T linger in your car checking your phone (something we all tend to do). This makes you a target!

So how can you prevent being a victim — and what should you do if a carjacker targets you?

Be aware

The most basic precaution you can take is simply to be aware of the threat. Fear shouldn’t rule your life, but you should always be aware of your security and surroundings the same way you keep an eye on the road.

Pay attention to who and what is around you. Trust your gut if something doesn't feel right. Avoid contact with pedestrians and other drivers, including eye contact. Do not roll your window down for anyone except those you know and law enforcement officers.

Secure your vehicle

Another obvious and simple measure is to keep your car doors and windows closed and locked.

Also, keep computers, cell phones, purses, wallets, and other valuables on the floor of the car and out of sight.

Plan ahead

Plan ahead and think about your reactions to “what if” scenarios. What would you do if the car in front of you slammed on the brakes or if a threatening person approached your car while stopped at a traffic light?

The carjacker is counting on the element of surprise, but you can counter the attack with a surprise of your own: a calm, quick response to his attempt, such as hitting the gas and getting away.

Again, trust your instincts. For such a response to a carjacker to be effective, it must be sure and fast.

And always keep your cell phone out and ready to call 911 if necessary.

Secure yourself

Your car is only one aspect of a carjacking. There are several steps you can take personally to make yourself safer and less likely to be a victim of a carjacking:

  • Whether you've just arrived somewhere or are about to leave, DON'T linger in your car checking your phone (something we all tend to do). This makes you a target!
  • Before you exit your car, take a quick look at your surroundings.
  • Before you enter your car, do the same; also make sure nobody is in, behind, or under the car.
  • Add or remove items from your trunk quickly.
  • Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas.
  • Walk from offices or other buildings to vehicles in pairs or larger groups. Or find a security guard to assist you if available.
  • Use valet parking or an attended garage if you’re driving alone.
  • Take your earphones out when pumping gas and walking to and from your vehicle.
  • Watch out for people loitering in the area, handing out flyers, for example, or sitting in parked cars.
  • Don’t park in isolated or visually obstructed areas near walls or heavy foliage.
  • Be especially careful when refueling a rental car on your way to returning it; obvious visitors — and their luggage — make tempting targets.
  • If someone tries to approach you as you near your parked car, change direction, or run to a busy store.
  • If you are bumped in traffic, drive to a busy, well-lit area or a police station. There's always the chance the "accident" was a ruse to get you out of your car.
  • If you have car trouble such as a flat tire or dead battery, call AAA or another roadside assistance service if possible. Exercise reasonable caution when accepting help from a random passerby.

If you are carjacked

  • Don't resist giving up your car and any possessions or money to an armed or potentialIy armed carjacker. Your priority is to get away.
  • Never agree to be kidnapped. Throw the cars keys and run and scream for help.
  • Once you are safe, call the police immediately to report the crime and provide detailed information about your car.
  • If the carjacker forces you to drive, consider crashing your car near a busy intersection to attract attention so bystanders can come to your aid and call the police.