High-speed chase ensues during 3-county break-in investigation.

High-speed chase ensues during 3-county break-in investigation.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

A 26-year-old Hesperia man who is a person of interest in a series of break-ins in a three-county area was arrested on a felony charge of fleeing and eluding following a 12-mile chase, according to local police.

The chase began on Scout Road near 192nd Avenue in Leavitt Township Thursday, April 2, at 3:30 p.m. and ended in the parking lot at Arbre Farms at 192nd Avenue and Monroe Road, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. Speeds up to 80 mph were reached, and the fleeing suspect was “blowing stop signs” during the chase, Sheriff Mast said.

“The state police were looking for him as a person of interest in a breaking and entering that just occurred in Newaygo County,” said Sheriff Mast.

The suspect avoided stop sticks twice during the pursuit, Mast said. “He gave up and pulled over in the parking lot.” The man was arrested without incident.

Through a collaborative investigation, Michigan State Police troopers from the Hart post went to the break-in scene, where “they saw the suspect’s car and it took off,” said MSP Sgt. Dan Thomas. Police are investigating a series of break-ins that occurred in Oceana, Newaygo and Lake counties, Thomas said. “Other suspects may be involved,” Sgt. Thomas said.

The case remains under investigation.

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