Man shot by police while trying to flee arrest

Warren police shot and critically wounded a man wanted for burglary early Thursday morning outside a motel at the border of Madison Heights, according to Police Commissioner William Dwyer.

The 35-year-old man was shot in the parking lot about 1:30 a.m. while trying to flee in his vehicle in which he allegedly tried to strike the officers with the vehicle, Dwyer said. The suspect’s vehicle struck two police vehicles, one marked and one unmarked.

“He drove his vehicle at the officers who were on foot,” Dwyer said.

The suspect was in critical condition Thursday morning at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, the commissioner added.

The man was under surveillance at the motel by Warren police when he went to Auburn Hills and stole a safe from Tokyo Sushi restaurant at Squirrel Road and Walton Boulevard in Auburn Hills, Dwyer said.

He explained the man has been under surveillance “for some time” as a suspect in a string of business burglaries, including the theft of cash from an ATM at Nine Mile and Ryan roads, as well as incidents in Fraser and Clinton Township.

“He’s a career criminal,” Dwyer said. “We’ve got him involving in a number of

business burglaries.”

The suspect has prior convictions and was recently released from prison, he stated.

Dwyer said it has not been determined how many officers fired their weapons and how many shots were fired. The matter is under investigation.

By standard procedure, the shooting will be subject of a review by the police Board of Inquiry, Dwyer confirmed. In the meantime, officers who fired will

be placed on paid administrative leave until the outcome has been determined.

The man’s girlfriend and two children were in the motel room and were not injured or involved in the incident.

Police found an M1 carbine rifle in the room, he said.

The car where the safe was located was being search Thursday morning.