Sterling Heights police chase ends at Fraser sinkhole
A 54-year-old Warren man was arrested early Wednesday after a police chase, which owed to a string of robberies in Sterling Heights, ended at the Fraser sinkhole, police said.
Sterling Heights police officers in the Community Response Unit were investigating a number of recent business burglaries and noticed a dark-colored SUV in a parking lot at 16 Mile and Ryan. They continued surveillance on the vehicle and followed the man to another parking lot at 15 Mile and Dodge Park Road, where he allegedly got out in front of the Coco Bean Creamery & Cafe, “was observed smashing the front glass door of the business,” and went inside, according to a statement. This was about 1:53 a.m.
Officers attempted to arrest the man as he left the store, but he allegedly ignored their commands, hopped back in the SUV, and rammed his way out of the parking lot, hitting two cops cars on the way out, police said.
The chase was on.
Police followed the man eastbound on 15 Mile, eventually leading to the sinkhole in the area of 15 Mile and Hayes in Fraser. Private security was blocking the road at the site as people worked to fix the site, a 24-hour effort. Police say the man hit a security vehicle blocking the road. The SUV finally stopped, but not before it hit a fire hydrant. Police say the man then fled on foot, was tackled by Sterling Heights police, and fought with police until he could be subdued.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned at 41A District Court, where he faces charges of burglary, felonious assault, fleeing and eluding, and resisting and obstructing a police officer.
The private security guard was taken to an area hospital, but is expected to be fine.