Coming home from a devastating motorcycle crash, a young father expected the comfort of his family home; instead, he stepped into a scene of deliberate destruction and discovered the heartless theft of his wife’s most prized possession.
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A Family Built on Hard Work
For 24-year-old Awni Safadi, stability was a hard-earned reality. As a team leader for preventative maintenance at MMP Corporation, a position he held for three years, Awni was the sole provider for his growing family. He supported his wife, a stay-at-home mother, their young son, and they had another baby on the way. The family resided in a home owned by his father’s uncles, paying a modest $1,250 a month in rent. It was a quiet, responsible life—until familial obligation opened the door to chaos.
The Prodigal Brother
The catalyst for the destruction began in early January, when Awni’s 19-year-old brother, Joshua Golf, found himself without a home. Their mother, who worked long hours as a paramedic, had reached her breaking point and kicked Joshua out of her house. The reasons were clear: Joshua was coming home late, throwing unauthorized parties, and had been caught with marijuana. Despite Joshua’s troubled history and his educational background—having graduated from an alternative high school with an Anchor Bay High School diploma in 2016—Awni chose to give his younger brother a second chance by taking him in.
The Accident and the Aftermath
The situation escalated drastically in May. Awni was involved in a serious motorcycle crash that left him hospitalized for three days. During this critical time, his wife remained by his side at the hospital while someone else cared for their young son, leaving the family home entirely in Joshua’s hands.
On May 5th, Awni finally returned home to recover. Instead of a quiet sanctuary, he walked into a nightmare. Joshua was lounging on the couch, an unknown dog was wandering the floor, and the entire house was in a state of disarray.
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Vandalism and the Missing Ring
The extent of the property damage was staggering. Awni walked into his garage to find his motorcycle had been maliciously spray-painted. The vandalism continued downstairs, where a basement mirror had also been defaced with spray paint. A back room window was cracked, the television was broken, and an air generator in the garage was severely damaged.
However, the most devastating blow was not the destruction of property, but a deeply personal theft. Awni discovered that his wife’s wedding band—a 14-karat, 1.5-karat diamond bridal ring featuring SI1 clarity and G-H color, valued at $2,800—was gone.
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The Pawn Shop Trail
The investigation into the missing ring quickly pointed directly at Joshua, who ultimately admitted to stealing and selling it. The timeline of the theft revealed a chilling level of premeditation. Joshua stole the ring on either May 3rd or May 4th, while his brother was still lying in a hospital bed recovering from his accident.
On May 6th, at approximately 3:30 PM, Joshua walked into a pawn shop located at the intersection of 10 Mile, Van Dyke, and Warren. The shop owner, Jihaad Alayand, processed the transaction and handed the 19-year-old $900 in cash for the stolen bridal ring. During the court proceedings, Alayand confirmed the transaction details, noting that pawn shops in Warren, Michigan, are required to hold items for two weeks and keep precise records of all cash customers to comply with the law.
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A Flimsy Defense and The Court’s Ultimatum
When confronted in court, Joshua attempted to justify the theft by claiming he pawned the ring in retaliation because Awni had stolen his phone. Joshua testified that he was on Awni’s phone plan and had paid AT&T $450 for the months of April and May.
The presiding judge quickly dismantled this defense by examining the timeline. Awni only confiscated the phone after he returned from the hospital on May 5th, discovered the trashed house, and subsequently threw Joshua out. Because Joshua admitted to stealing the ring on May 3rd or 4th—days before the phone was ever taken—his retaliatory motive was proven completely false.
Recognizing the severity of the betrayal, the court took strict action. The judge awarded a judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $2,800. However, in a definitive move to ensure legal accountability, the judge ordered that the payment be held.
Awni was given a strict five-day deadline to file an official criminal complaint with the police department naming his brother as the perpetrator of the theft before the funds would be released. The pawn shop receipt and ring appraisal were retained by the court as formal evidence for the impending police investigation.
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FAQ
Why was Joshua Golf living with his brother in the first place?
In early January, Joshua’s mother, who worked as a paramedic, kicked him out of her home because he was caught with marijuana, threw parties, and frequently came home late. Awni took him in to help him out.
What happened to the stolen wedding ring?
Joshua stole his sister-in-law’s 14-karat diamond ring on May 3rd or 4th and sold it for $900 in cash to Jihaad Alayand at a pawn shop on 10 Mile, Van Dyke, and Warren on May 6th.
What was the court’s final ruling?
The judge awarded Awni a $2,800 judgment but stipulated the funds would be placed on hold. Awni was ordered to file a formal police complaint against Joshua for the theft within five days to release the judgment.
Sources
- Court Transcripts: Case No. 89, Safadi v. Golf.