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After examination by state psychiatrists, a man accused of armed robbery in Ferndale was found incompetent to stand trial and sentenced to a civil commitment at the state Center for Forensic Psychiatry.

Jason Askew, 39, of Highland Park, will be held indefinitely at the forensic center in Saline.

Under Thursday’s order by Ferndale 43rd District Judge Joseph Longo, Askew will be prohibited from leaving the center unless he first files a successful action with court to be released.

After reviewing Askew’s psychiatric report Longo agreed with Askew’s attorney that the suspect would not be competent for trial within the legal time limit. His criminal case is now closed.

Askew was jailed on $50,000 cash bond after his arrest Jan. 18. Later that month the court ordered Askew to the forensic center for evaluation at the request of his attorney.

Ferndale police said Askew followed a Ferndale woman, 61, while she was out walking on Academy Street about 11 a.m.

He approached her and demanded she empty her pockets and give him her money, police said.

The woman told her assailant she had no money and kept walking until he brandished an empty liquor bottle and threatened to harm her, police said.

But she still refused to give him any money.

The woman took out her cell phone and tried to call 911 while the suspect unsuccessfully attempted to grab the phone away from her, according to police.

The woman quickly walked toward the Rite Aid store at Woodward Avenue and Academy. 

Another woman saw the suspect strike the Ferndale woman and called 911 to report the assault, police said.

Police found the suspect a few blocks north as he walked near Woodward and East Saratoga and took him into custody.

The Ferndale woman suffered minor injuries but required no hospital treatment. 

Askew has no prior criminal convictions on his record.

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