Police dog helps nab car theft suspect
Man arrested after fleeing from deputies in Port Huron
A car theft suspect who fled from authorities in Port Huron Thursday night was nabbed in Chesterfield Township with help from a police dog.
Around 11:20 p.m., St. Clair County sheriff’s deputies requested assistance from Chesterfield Township police as they attempted to apprehend a suspect who was fleeing from them at high speeds on westbound Interstate 94 near Chesterfield Township. The suspect, later identified as a 19-year-old Warren man, had fled from law enforcement after stealing a 1999 GMC Jimmy in Port Huron, police said.
The Chesterfield Township K-9 officer took up a safe position on westbound I-94 near New Haven Road waiting for the GMC to enter the township. Police said the suspect passed the officer at high speed and lost control of the vehicle as he drove around another motorist. The GMC veered into the I-94 median and struck the median barrier cable, causing the SUV to spin and roll many times.
The K-9 officer ran to the GMC, which was heavily damaged after the crash, and discovered the suspect had climbed out of the window and was now fleeing on foot, heading east across I-94.
The officer ordered the suspect to stop, but he ignored the orders and climbed over the cable barrier into eastbound I-94 traffic lanes, Chesterfield Township police said.
The officer was able to remotely release police dog Viper from his patrol car. The dog was directed toward the fleeing suspect and was able to engage him in the eastbound I-94 lanes.
The officer was able to quickly take the suspect into custody. He was turned over to St. Clair County sheriff’s deputies on their charges.