Elmore Nichols Jr.
By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK — “Don’t scream,” the woman said she was told by Elmore Nichols Jr., 52, who climbed on top of her and put a pillow over her mouth.
The woman fought harder. Her screams woke up others in the household who called 911. According to police reports, Nichols heard noise from upstairs and ran out the front door.
A patrol unit in the area saw a man who fit the suspect’s description running through back yards to a Dodge Charger parked a block away. Police detained Nichols, and found inside the vehicle a number of credit cards with names other than the suspects, which were later determined to have been stolen during home invasions in Farmington Hills.
Police took Nichols into custody, and a fingerprint check revealed a registered sex offender with a lengthy criminal history in other states. Nichols’ description and that of his vehicle matched information from neighboring communities investigating home invasions and rapes.
Nichols was arraigned Monday in 25th District Court on charges of felony home invasion, attempted rape and receiving and concealing stolen property. Nichols remained in custody on a $1 million bond, and is scheduled for a preliminary examination on July 24.