Mears man captured after police use ‘stop sticks’ to deflate tires during chase

– OCSO photo

Mears man captured after police use ‘stop sticks’ to deflate tires during chase

OTTO TOWNSHIP — A police chase that began in Whitehall ended in Oceana County after “stop sticks” used by police shredded the tires of the fleeing pickup truck Sunday evening, July 16.

The driver, who is a 34-year-old Mears man, was arrested “on several offenses that originated out of Muskegon County,” including third-offense drunk driving and fleeing and eluding police, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. 

“Whitehall Police Department attempted to make a traffic stop and the suspect attempted to flee and elude into Oceana County, continuing several miles in Oceana County,” said Sheriff Mast.

– OCSO photo

“Oceana County deputies used ‘stop sticks,’ and the suspect drove on flat tires several miles.”

The chase began around 8:30 p.m. and the suspect drove an older model Chevy Silverado north into Oceana County on South 116th Avenue and hit the “stop sticks” on 128th Avenue west of Arthur Road. Whitehall police continued to pursue. The fleeing driver went off the road when the second set of “stop sticks” was deployed, and he was captured on 104th Avenue. 

The man was lodged in the Muskegon County Jail and faces charges in Muskegon County’s court system.

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