Sentinel-Standard editor
ORANGE TOWNSHIP - A man being questioned by troopers from the Ionia Post of the Michigan State Police late Thursday evening managed to gain control of a police cruiser and fled from police, later crashing the vehicle while fleeing from pursuing officers.
According to police, troopers were questioning four suspects in reference to a possible auto theft that had just taken place in the vicinity of East Grand River Avenue and Kelsey Highway just before 10:30 p.m. last night. That's when one of the suspects jumped behind the wheel of the cruiser and fled. It is not yet clear how the suspect was able to gain entry into the vehicle.
Troopers initiated a pursuit that ended just a few yards west of Kelsey Highway, where the man had lost control, it appeared, while attempting to turn north onto Kelsey. The vehicle struck an embankment and skidded to a halt in the middle of a field some 30 yards off the road.
The man was reportedly ejected from the vehicle, but was placed into protective custody while troopers awaited medical assistance.
Police initially called for an ambulance and AirCare medical helicopter out of Lansing, but medics determined that the man did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
The cruiser sustained significant damage to a rear wheel, which was torn off in the collision with the embankment.
Life EMS ambulance transported the suspect to Ionia County Memorial Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. He was later lodged at Ionia County Jail. For the driver of the stolen patrol car the MSP will seek charges of unlawful driving away of an automobile, receiving and concealing stolen property, attempted UDAA, fleeing and eluding 1st degree, reckless driving and also pending charged from the state of Florida.
Three other suspects, one male and two females, were arrested on suspicion of receiving and concealing stolen property and attempted UDAA.
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