A 52-year-old man from Port Huron is behind bars after what deputies are calling a wild and dangerous multi-city crime spree through Macomb County on Monday, Oct. 6.
Authorities say it started when a homeowner in Harrison Township spotted the suspect, identified as Thomas Edward Tackett, drinking from a backyard hose. Later the same day, a home invasion was reported where a handgun was stolen. When deputies tried to confront Tackett, he refused to be searched and fled. Local schools were placed on lockdown over fears he was armed.
Investigators say he then carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint. The stolen car was spotted a short time later and led to a high-speed chase that reached more than 100 mph on local roads and along Gratiot. At one point, Tackett drove directly onto the St. Clair Shores Golf Course and then went the wrong way down I-94, using the shoulder to avoid traffic. Deputies eventually called off the pursuit for safety reasons.
The spree didn’t stop there. Officials say Tackett abandoned the stolen car and tried forcing his way into multiple homes, demanding car keys and threatening one homeowner with a fork and a knife. In another confrontation, a homeowner fought him off and physically restrained him until deputies moved in. He was arrested in Harrison Township.
Tackett has a criminal record stretching back to 1995 and was on parole at the time. He is now charged with 13 crimes, including home invasion, armed carjacking, reckless driving, resisting police, and fleeing and eluding. His arraignment was scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9 in Clinton Township.
Authorities say no bystanders were injured, though several homeowners and drivers were put in immediate danger.
