A former convict allegedly robbed an elderly woman after throwing her to the ground twice, according to the Trenton Police Department.

Edward Lee Lewis, 58, was charged with first degree home invasion, unarmed robbery and interfering with electronic communications causing injury or death Tuesday morning before Judge Michael McNally at 33rd District Court in Woodhaven.

Lewis is a habitual offender and could spend up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

Lewis was convicted of homicide by jury trial in 1987 and served 24 years in prison. In May 2011, he was discharged from prison after serving his entire sentence, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections website.

On July 24, an 82-year-old Trenton woman told police that at about 11 a.m. Lewis pulled up to her house in the 2200 block of Greenwood Street in a gray car with another white male, at which time she locked all the doors in the house.

Lewis allegedly gained entry through a locked back door-wall. When inside, he asked her for $40 cash and she refused, according to a Trenton police report.

The woman said Lewis became angry and grabbed her by the arms and threw her to the ground. She got up to call 911, but Lewis ripped the phone out of the wall, disconnecting the call.

She said Lewis asked for the money again and again she refused. He threw her down again and she hit the back of her neck, which she told police "hurt pretty bad." She then went into her wallet and gave him the $40 and Lewis left the house.

Police later caught up to Lewis and arrested him after receiving an anonymous tip regarding his whereabouts.

McNally set bond at ten percent of $300,000. Lewis did not post bond and was transported to Wayne County Jail.

"This is a case of extraordinary police work," Trenton Police Chief Jim Nardone said. "These allegations of robbery and assault, especially when they involve the elderly, are very serious."

The woman went to Oakwood Southshore Medical Center where she was treated and released for a cut leg.

Police said an emergency call did come through to their 911 system at the time the woman described, but no voice contact was made.

*This article was updated at 5:52 p.m. Aug. 1.

Trenton police said the relationship between Lewis and the elderly woman is unclear. At the arraignment, Lewis said he and the woman were "lovers." The woman told police she was simply trying to help a convicted felon get back on his feet.