COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A wild scene played out on Coldwater’s east side yesterday involving two traffic accidents which followed a high speed police pursuit on I-69. A suspect facing multiple felony charges in connection with a two state crime spree which ended with those two crashes Wednesday afternoon on US 12 is lodged at the Branch County Jail.
Michigan State Police say it all started in the morning Wednesday when police in Muncie, Indiana issued an alert for authorities to be on the lookout for two vehicles which were stolen after a home invasion of an occupied residence. Around 2:30 p.m., MSP Trooper Brit Owen spotted a car northbound on I-69 near Southern Road in Coldwater Township that matched the description of one of the stolen vehicles and attempted to make a stop.
Owen said the driver of the Honda Accord continued to pull away from his patrol car with speeds reaching near 100 mph before exiting the highway at US 12 and then headed east. Another eastbound car on 12 was attempting a left turn near Planet Power Sports when it was struck by the Accord.
The suspect fled on foot, and according to Owen, first attempted to steal a vehicle from the Family Farm and Home parking lot. Not succeeding there, the suspect ran over to the nearby Tractor Supply Company store lot and was trying to steal a car when the owner of that car saw what was happening and opened the driver’s door and attempted to pull the suspect from behind the wheel.
Trooper Owen arrived on the scene and tackled the suspect, making the arrest as he tried to escape. No injuries were reported.
The suspect is being held without bond pending arraignment today in Branch County District Court.
