At approximately 5:35 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, deputies from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office responded to a theft in progress at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Howell Township. It was reported that four subjects (three males and one female) were observed stealing merchandise from multiple stores; they were observed leaving the mall after getting into a Red Nissan Altima that did not appear to have a license plate.
A deputy observed the Altima at a nearby gas station, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Office. The deputy approached the vehicle and was in the process of detaining one of the subjects when the vehicle began to pull away. The subject being detained shoved the deputy, breaking free with a handcuff on his wrist, and jumped back into the Nissan Altima, which fled north on Burkhart Road at a high rate of speed with the deputy pursuing in his patrol vehicle with emergency lights and siren activated.
Deputies pursued the vehicle west on Grand River Avenue where the suspect vehicle was observed to be traveling at a high rate of speed, driving into oncoming traffic, and nearly causing numerous collisions. Due to the dangerous driving conditions the pursuit was terminated.
The Altima was observed to be entering the Village of Fowlerville Village at speeds in excess of 100 mph.
The Fowlerville Police Department observed the vehicle in the village and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle then fled south on South Grand Avenue, leaving the roadway intentionally to escape and traveling on the sidewalk before returning to the roadway and striking another vehicle, rendering both inoperable.
Two occupants of the suspect vehicle were taken into custody at the crash scene while a third, who fled on foot, was ultimately located in the restroom of a nearby restaurant and taken into custody without further incident. There were minor injuries reported in the accident, all of which were from the people in the Nissan Altima.
During a search of the Altima as well as the suspects, a large amount of suspected stolen merchandise was recovered as was a loaded handgun.
Suspect 1 is 19-year-old male from Lansing. Charges sought will be Organized Retail Fraud, Fleeing and Eluding, Felon in Possession of a firearm, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. He was lodged at the Livingston County Jail awaiting a charging decision from the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office.
Suspect 2 is a 16-year-old male from Grand Rapids. Charges sought will be Organized Retail Fraud, resisting and obstructing, assault on a police officer, larceny, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. He was turned over to the Grand Rapids Police Department for an outstanding warrant.
Suspect 3 is 21-year-old female from Grand Rapids. Charges sought will be Organized Retail Fraud, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, as well as possession of burglary tools. She was lodged at the Livingston County jail awaiting a charging decision from the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office.
Suspect 4 was not taken into custody during this incident; however his identity is known, and charges will be sought through the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this incident by the Fowlerville Police Department, Livingston County Central Dispatch, Livingston County EMS as well as the Fowlerville Fire Department.
