Dash Cam Video Of 30-Mile Chase Released As Police Search For Driver Who Escaped [VIDEO]
MACOMB TWP. (WWJ) - Police have released dramatic dash-cam video from a chase that stretched nearly 30 miles from Macomb County into Detroit, and ended with the suspect getting away.
The incident unfolded around 4:50 a.m. Tuesday as a Macomb County Sheriff's deputy was patrolling on Gratiot Avenue near Hall Road in Macomb Township.
The deputy observed a white Ford F-250 pick-up truck parked in the center-lane of Gratiot in front of the Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change business. The truck had a plow affixed to the front and was towing a landscaping-type trailer with a Kawasaki ATV.
The pick-up truck had its four-way flashers activated but the trailer was unlit. As the deputy turned around to check on the vehicle, a suspect jumped from the passenger-side of the pick-up truck and ran towards the business, which was not open. The deputy watched as the suspect entered a white Chrysler Sebring that was parked in the Pennzoil parking lot.
The Sebring pulled out of the parking lot, and the pick-up truck followed behind as both vehicles drove southbound on Gratiot.
Police say the deputy managed to obtain the license plate on the Sebring and when he ran the number through the computer, it came back as "improper" -- belonging to a Cadillac Escalade.
The two vehicles turned westbound onto Hall Road. While the Sebring continued westbound, police say the truck turned around, went eastbound on Hall Road and eventually entered onto westbound I-94. The deputy followed.
Police say the deputy ran the license plate on the pick-up truck and the trailer it was towing. The plate on the truck came back as "no record on computer," while the registration plate on the trailer indicated that it was registered to a landscaping company based in Walkerton, Indiana.
At that point, the deputy activated the lights and siren of his patrol vehicle in an attempt to the stop the truck. The driver, however, ignored the police car and fled westbound on I-94 at speeds of approximately 75 miles per hour, according to police.
A chase was initiated with several officers joining the pursuit. As the fleeing truck neared 12 Mile Road, Roseville police deployed "stop-sticks" in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The truck struck the stop sticks, but continued fleeing westbound.
As the fleeing truck neared the Stephens Road overpass, the truck rammed another vehicle that was slowing down in the center lane, causing it to spin out of control. A deputy stopped to render aid to two a man and woman in the vehicle. Both were uninjured, however their vehicle was severely damaged.
The pursuit continued and eventually crossed over into the city of Detroit. At that point, sheriff's vehicles disengaged from the pursuit and a Michigan State Police vehicle continued to follow the fleeing vehicle.
When the driver of the pick-up swerved off of I-94 and entered onto I-75, all police vehicles terminated their pursuit of the pick-up truck.
The driver was not apprehended and remains at large. He is described as a white male in his late teens or early 20's. At the time, he was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Police say he also appeared to be talking on his cell phone during the pursuit.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact police at 586-307-9412.
