A chaotic scene unfolded Saturday night in Detroit after a stolen Ford van led state troopers and Detroit police on a search through multiple neighborhoods before ending at what turned out to be a crowded birthday party.
Around 10:35 p.m., Trooper 2 overheard that Hazel Park police attempted to stop the van earlier in the evening, but the driver refused to pull over. The vehicle was later spotted near Woodward and 7 Mile Road, and officers confirmed the van had been reported stolen to Detroit Police earlier that day.
When troopers tried stopping the suspect along Woodward near McNichols, the driver continued on, entering I-75 between 7 Mile and Clay. Officers from both agencies chose not to pursue, but the aviation unit maintained visuals and directed troopers on the ground.
The suspects abandoned the vehicle along Edgevale Street and ran into a two-unit home near 25 E. McNichols. Troopers surrounded the building and ordered everyone inside to come out. Between 10 and 15 people exited, claiming they were celebrating a birthday. One person said they lived there, although troopers could not confirm it at the time.
As the investigation continued, five more individuals left the house. Among them was the female passenger seen earlier in the stolen van and she was quickly taken into custody.
A search warrant was obtained and troopers entered the home in an effort to locate the suspected driver. He was found hiding in the basement and arrested by a Michigan State Police K9 unit. The 38-year-old man was bitten during the arrest, treated at the scene, and later lodged pending prosecutor review.
“Suspects still continue to put the public at risk by failing to stop at traffic stops,” said F/Lt. Mike Shaw. “Through the use of aviation and troopers on the ground, these suspects were taken into custody without putting the public at risk. Troopers are continuing to investigate if this was also a home invasion or if some of the people at the party may have been less than truthful during the investigation.”
Troopers say the investigation remains active.
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