A 26-year-old Brandon Township man has been arraigned on charges following his attack on a neighbor woman.
Michael Lee Friske, a resident of the Clarkston Lakes Mobile Home Park, was arraigned on Sept. 7 in 52-2 District Court in front of Magistrate Judith Holtz on charges of home invasion’first degree, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, and felonious assault. He is being held in the Oakland County Jail on a $1 million bond, no 10 percent.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mike Searing of the Brandon substation said that in the early morning hours of Sept. 5, the victim, a woman in her mid-20s, was asleep on the couch with her 2-year-old daughter when she was awakened by a window breaking in the rear of the home located in the 3700 block of Red Bud Lane. While investigating the noise, she encountered Friske, who was armed with an edged weapon, in the hallway. A struggle ensued, during which she managed to get a door between them. She pushed the door, setting off an alarm, and escaped the home with her child to a neighbor’s home.
Friske fled the scene, but evidence left there led to his arrest.
Searing said there are indications that Friske, whose home is located behind the victim’s home, was familiar with the woman, although he is unknown to her.
‘The victim in this case did an excellent job of defending herself and her child,? said Searing, who noted she escaped with bumps and bruises, but no further injuries.
Searing advises women to always be aware of their surroundings and pay attention to their sixth sense? if something feels wrong, it may be.
‘She (the victim) did what she could to make noise,? Searing said. ‘She got the door open and the alarm going.?
Searing recommends an alarm, a good lighting system, and a dog as excellent safety measures to help avoid being a victim of crime.
‘Do what you can to make yourself a harder target,? he said. ‘Lock your doors. Get out of the house and make as much noise as possible.?
A preliminary examination for Friske is scheduled for 8 a.m., Oct. 14, in front of 52-2 District Court Judge Kelley Kostin.