Watch Suspect Try to Swim Away after Ramming Mich. Police Officers
What to know
- Two Southfield police officers were injured when suspected tire thieves in a fleeing minivan drove head-on into their patrol car during a July 1 chase.
- The suspects had felony records, and one of the men tried to escape on foot before he was apprehended in a pond.
- Charges include fleeing and larceny from a motor vehicle, and both suspects' next court date is July 16.
By Anne Runkle
Source The Oakland Press, Sterling Heights, Mich.
Two Southfield police officers incurred non-life-threatening injuries after two suspected tire thieves crashed into their patrol car early Tuesday, July 1.
Police received a 911 call at about 3 a.m. from a woman who reported seeing several people stealing tires from a vehicle in the parking lot of the Willow Pond Condos near Franklin and 11 Mile roads. The 911 caller said the thieves left in a Chrysler Pacifica minivan.
Police spotted a minivan matching the description on Telegraph Road near 10 Mile Road and began to pursue it. As they pursued, a tire was thrown from the vehicle
“It was their attempt to discard the evidence as they were fleeing our officers,” Police Chief Elvin Barren said at a press conference on Thursday, July 3.
As the chase ensued, the minivan drove across the lawns of several businesses to avoid police, Barren said. The minivan then traveled south in the northbound lanes of Lahser Road, north of Nine Mile Road, striking a patrol car head-on with two officers inside.
The airbags deployed but the officers still sustained injuries and were recovering at home, Barren said at the press conference.
The officers are a 35-year-old man who is a six-year veteran of the department and a 24-year-old man with one year of service.
After the crash, the driver of the minivan fled on foot and jumped into a pond in an attempt to evade police, Barren said. Police ordered him to leave the water and took him into custody.
Police identified the suspected driver as Trachawn Mccaa, 31, of Detroit.
A second man, identified as Prince Madison, 51, also of Detroit, was found inside the minivan and was also arrested, police said.
Barren said both had numerous felonies on their records.
Mccaa was charged with third-degree fleeing and eluding and larceny from a motor vehicle. His bond was set at $50,000.
Madison was charged with larceny from a motor vehicle and was given a $5,000 bond.
Their next court date is July 16 before Judge Cynthia Arvant of the 46th District Court in Southfield.
The minivan had been rented and was due to be returned Saturday, July 5, Barren said.
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