Man who led police on chase with mini bike sent to prison

The pursuit only lasted about a quarter mile as he reached a top speed of 30 mph

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

HART — A 36-year-old Hart man who led police on a chase with a mini bike last July was sentenced to 16-24 months in prison in 51st Circuit Court Monday, April 22.

It took a jury just 45 minutes of deliberations, March 6, before reaching a guilty verdict for Curtis Lester-Lee Tice who fled from Oceana County sheriff’s deputies on a mini motorcycle. Tice, of 3850 W. Melody Lane, was found guilty of fourth-degree fleeing and eluding police.

“Mr Tice has a long (criminal) history, and this was considered by the court,” Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.

“He was being stopped for multiple infractions and equipment violations,” said Bizon. The nighttime chase on 72nd Avenue near Melody Lane in Hart Township only lasted about a quarter mile as Tice reached a top speed of 30 mph. “He eventually ended the pursuit by pulling onto a grassy corner near a tree,” said Bizon.

“Mr. Tice believed that stopping for the police was optional. The jury informed him otherwise after about 40-45 minutes of deliberations.”

He received credit for 77 days served in jail, according to court records. A charge of possession of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic less than 25 grams was dismissed in a separate file.

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