Stolen truck pursuit across Calhoun, Barry, Eaton counties ends in crash

CHARLOTTE, Mich. (WILX) - A 45-year-old man from Bellevue was taken into custody Tuesday after reportedly stealing two trucks and leading a pursuit across Calhoun, Barry and Eaton counties.

Update: Man charged with 7 felonies, 5 misdemeanors in pursuit across Calhoun, Barry, Eaton counties

According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began at about 11:20 a.m. when deputies were dispatched to Garden Brothers Lawn and Landscape in Springfield on reports that a man had stolen a truck from the property. While searching for the vehicle, authorities said the owner located the truck parked at another business with the suspect inside.

The Sheriff’s Office said the business owner knew the suspect, who appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. The suspect was removed from the truck after a physical altercation and when the owner called police, the suspect entered the business, stole a different truck, drove through a closed garage door and fled.

Battle Creek police received reports of a vehicle matching the stolen truck had struck two vehicles in Bedford Township and failed to stop and continued north into Barry County.

The Sherrif’s Office said a deputy attempted a traffic stop and the suspect initially stopped and then drove in reverse to strike the Calhoun County patrol vehicle. The deputy avoided the collision and the suspect fled from the scene and the pursuit was taken up by the Barry County Sheriff’s Office.

The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office said it was notified just after 1 p.m. that Barry County Sheriff’s deputies were pursuing a stolen F-450 flatbed truck on Lawrence Highway. The driver of the stolen truck had allegedly tried hitting several officers during the pursuit and had struck two vehicles.

The Sheriff’s Office said it sent out patrol units to the area to stop the truck before it reached a populated area, who used stop sticks to flatten the tires. Authorities said the truck continued to drive with flat tires and on the rims.

The Sheriff’s Office said they used their patrol vehicles to disable the truck before it entered Charlotte, which was difficult since the truck was much larger than the patrol vehicles.

“The Deputies and Sergeant from Eaton County Sheriff’s Office put themselves in harm’s way to make sure the citizens stayed safe,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote on social media.

The suspect was arrested and taken to a hospital for evaluation before being lodged at the Barry County Jail. An Eaton County sheriff’s deputy was injured during the incident but is expected to be OK.

The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office will also be pursuing charges against the driver.

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