Phoenix burglary victim says he chewed through phone cords to escape
Sep 3, 2019, 2:30 PM
PHOENIX — A man told Phoenix police that he chewed his way through phone cords to escape after an accused burglar tied him up and stole his debit card.
The victim was in a room at a Red Roof Inn near McDowell Road and 51st Avenue on Aug. 23 when Michael Thorning, 54, knocked and asked to use his phone around 11 p.m., according to court documents.
According to the documents, the victim had let Thorning, who is homeless, stay in the room before because of the heat.
The victim said Thorning used the phone, then became angry and pulled out a box cutter.
RELATED STORIES
After a struggle, the victim ended up on the floor. Thorning then allegedly took his debit card and cash, according to the documents.
Before he left, he reportedly tied up the victim with phone cords and blindfolded him.
He then went to two convenience stores and withdrew a total of $800 from the victim’s account, the documents stated.
The victim told police he was able to chew through the phone cords and get to the front desk to report the incident.
Detectives worked with staff from a nearby Motel 6 that Thorning had been spotted at before to locate him.
He was arrested there on Friday and charged with one count each of robbery and kidnapping.
He was being held on $35,000 bond and scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
