COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Burlington man charged in connection with a July 14, 2019 police chase that went through two counties entered no contest pleas to three charges Wednesday in Branch County Circuit Court.
A court spokesperson says 36-year-old Joseph Copas entered the pleas to charges of concealing stolen property, operating while his license was suspended, and fourth degree fleeing and eluding.
Other charges will be dismissed by Branch County prosecutors in exchange for his pleas. Sentencing has been scheduled for October 14, 2019.
Copas also has pending charges in Calhoun County since the pursuit started near Burlington.
At the time, the Michigan State Police say they were checking out leads on Copas regarding multiple felony warrants and that he had been eluding police for more two weeks. The chase started after Troopers spotted Copas in a stolen vehicle as they were following up on a tip.
The pursuit eventually ended near Clarendon and Bidwell Roads in Butler Township.
