Vitale murder suspect charged; funeral arrangements set

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Grand Rapids man accused of fatally stabbing Joey Vitale inside the pizza restaurant he ran is now charged with open murder.

Tony Devern Streets Jr., 33, was also formally charged Friday afternoon with armed robbery, carjacking and being a habitual offender – his fourth offense.

When the judge asked Streets if he had any questions during Friday's arraignment, Streets replied, "Nah, it's alright."

Investigators say Streets caused a disturbance inside Burton Heights Pizza Wednesday night and refused to leave the restaurant. Witnesses say when Vitale tried to calm down Streets, he stabbed him.

A witness said Vitale acknowledged he knew Streets, but it's unclear how. Employees think the stabbing was random.

After the stabbing, police say Streets ran from the restaurant, robbed a person in the parking lot and tried to steal a car from another person.

After the attack, Vitale tried to drive from the restaurant at 315 Burton St. SW to Mercy Health Saint Mary’s for help. Witnesses say someone tried to hop into the car with him, but he took off.

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