Ingham County Sheriff details high speed chase, car-jacking, crash

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – One man is in jail Tuesday night after leading law enforcement in two counties on multiple high-speed chases, stealing a vehicle and ultimately crashing near Howell .

Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth tells 6 News the whole situation began early Tuesday afternoon with numerous calls describing a vehicle driving recklessly in Ingham County.

He left the Ingham County Justice Complex in Mason and identified the suspected reckless driver heading northbound on U.S. 127. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the man fled at a high speed, Wriggelsworth says.

During the chase, Wriggelsworth says the suspect was driving dangerously and nearly caused multiple traffic collisions. He says he called off the pursuit near Williamston Rd.

Soon thereafter, a deputy from Ingham County identified the vehicle exiting I-96 from the eastbound lane and turning south on M-52. The deputy attempted to initiate a stop as well, but the suspect again sped away at a high speed. Wrigglesworth says he called off that pursuit as well out of safety concerns.

Shortly after that, he says, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call of a white male, approximately 50 years old forcing his way into a home at M-52 and Milner in Leroy Township. He left the scene in an older white GMC pickup truck.

The suspect’s green Ford Crown Victoria was located near the home where the truck was stolen.

At about 1:45 p.m. Michigan State Police helicopters were in the air over the area and law enforcement located the man in the stolen car heading eastbound on Grand River Ave. in the village of Webberville. He was followed by the Ingham County Deputies as additional law enforcement converged on the area.

Michigan State Police and Livingston County Sheriff Department officials initiated a third high-speed chase that ultimately ended when the man, identified as a 60-year-old Genesee County man, crashed the stolen vehicle east of Howell.

Ingham County deputies did not participate in the third pursuit. Wriggelsworth says Livingston County law enforcement deployed tire deflation tools – commonly called spike strips — that caused two of the trucks to deflate.

Wriggelsworth says investigators will present a case and request for charges to the Ingham County Prosecutor in the coming days. In the meantime, the man, who was transported to a hospital and cleared, will be staying at the Ingham County Jail.

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