COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Jackson man was formally arraigned on nine charges on Wednesday in Branch County District Court after he was accused of being naked while trying to break into a home on Main Street in Sherwood and then leading police on a chase which ended with a violent confrontation on the west side of Coldwater.
47-year-old Frank Thomas Lemen is facing charges of third degree fleeing and eluding, assault on a police officer, attempting to disarm a police officer, third degree child abuse, three counts of of assaulting, resisting or obstructing police and two counts of indecent exposure.
Prosecutors also filed Habitual Offender sentencing enhancers against Lemen. According to court documents, he was previously convicted in Iowa for false imprisonment, assault with intent to inflict serious injury and third degree attempted burglary. He was also convicted in Ohio for felonious assault.
A formal reading of the charges was waved and not guilty pleas were entered. Bond was set at $75,000. Lemen’s next court appearance is a probable cause hearing on July 6 with a preliminary exam on July 11.
The Branch County Sheriff’s Department says the series of incidents started just before 4:50 p.m. Tuesday afternoon when they got a report of a naked man trying to kick the door in at a home in the 400 block of North Main in Sherwood.
The suspect, who had his four-year-old daughter with him, then began throwing items around the yard. He then fled the scene with his daughter and headed south to Athens Road.
The pursuit eventually headed east on U.S. 12 to the west side of Coldwater close to where reconstruction work is taking place on the bridge over the Coldwater River. The suspect was forced to stop after hitting a Michigan State Police cruiser which was assisting in the pursuit.
According to court documents, the man grabbed the youngster and tried to run. Troopers were able to get the child away from the suspects.
The suspect fought with Deputies and State Police Troopers. Before he was taken into custody, the Sheriff’s Department says he tried to grab Deputy Kevin Butters’ gun and bit the deputy’s finger.
The suspect and the deputy were treated at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital.
Court documents say Lemen was uncooperative and resisted attempts at the hospital to draw his bloom. He later booked at the Branch County Jail.
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