Suspect Charged With Fighting With Pregnant Girlfriend And Punching Meijer Employee

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — A 23-year-old Commerce Township man is in Oakland County Jail after reportedly getting into a fight with his pregnant 19-year-old girlfriend at Meijer, and allegedly punching an intervening Meijer employee, according to a police report.

Chase Robert Mathews of Commerce Township was arraigned on Feb. 1 by Magistrate Richardson at 52-1 Dist. Court in Novi, according to a press release. Oakland County Sheriff's Office Deputies say Mathews faces a litany of charges: Felony Resist and Obstruct, Assault and Battery (on the Meijer employee) and Domestic Assault (on his girlfriend). The suspect was given a $100,000 cash or surety bond and is currently lodged at Oakland County Jail, according to Deputies.

The incident happened on Jan. 29 at 6:52 p.m. at a Meijer in the 1700 block of Haggerty Rd. in Commerce Township. Deputies report that Mathews allegedly got into an argument with his girlfriend in the store parking lot. Deputies report that the woman ran into Meijer for help, and the suspect followed her inside and allegedly attempted taking her cellphone so she couldn't call 9-1-1.

When a 23-year-old Meijer employee intervened, Mathews allegedly punched him in the face with enough force that he fell to the ground, according to Deputies. Mathews fled the scene, but Deputies say they found him in a bar called the Library Pub, across the street from Meijer. Mathews reportedly became physically combative as police approached, and a Deputy used a Taser to subdue him, according to the police report.

Photo courtesy of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office