A Ferndale man is facing life imprisonment if convicted of knifing a 31-year-old Columbiaville man in the Oxford Meijer parking lot on Oct. 19.
Anthony Francis Iannotti, 21, was arraigned Oct. 29 in Rochester Hills 52-3 District Court on felony charges of assault with intent to rob while armed, assault with intent to murder and attempt to commit carjacking.
If convicted, Iannotti faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for each of the first two charges and up to five years imprisonment for the third charge.
Iannotti’s currently being held in the Oakland County Jail.
The victim was resting in the Oxford Meijer parking lot when Iannotti approached his vehicle and asked for a ride, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s report.
When the Columbiaville man declined the suspect’s request, Iannotti allegedly used a fillet knife he obtained from Meijer to cut the victim’s neck and left hand.
The victim was taken to Lapeer Regional Hospital with injuries that were described as not life-threatening.
Following the alleged assault, Iannotti allegedly stole a car from the parking lot of Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub.
Iannotti was later apprehended by Ferndale Police after he allegedly attempted to flee from them.
Iannotti was arraigned Oct. 20 in Ferndale 43rd District Court on felony charges of third-degree fleeing and eluding police and receiving and concealing stolen property (motor vehicle).
He was also arraigned Oct. 21 in the Rochester Hills 52-3 District Court on felony charges of aggravated stalking, carrying a concealed weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, and the misdemeanor charge of malicious destruction of property.
The latter set of charges stem from an incident in which Iannotti allegedly slashed the tires of vehicles belonging to his friend’s ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend.
That incident occurred Oct. 19 (just hours before the alleged knifing) on Chinkapin Rill in the Lake Villa Manufactured Home Park.
Three weeks prior to the events of Oct. 19, Iannotti was released from the county jail on probation after serving nine months for aggravated stalking.