Ann Arbor police shoot out tire to stop stolen van
Ann Arbor police shot out a tire to stop a stolen van being driven by a 34-year-old man who was later arrested Tuesday night in Ann Arbor.
Police said the man drove the van into a porch and garage on Springbrook before it came to a halt.
Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com
"The care worker had exited the van and was putting the wheelchair ramp down when he heard the doors lock," Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush said in a release. "The 34-year-old ... drove the vehicle away, with the caregiver hanging on to the side-view mirror trying to stop him."
Officers on patrol at the time saw the van heading east on Eisenhower with no lights on as the caregiver clung to the driver's side mirror, Bush said.
The caregiver was able to step away from the vehicle as police attempted to pull it over.
The 34-year-old did not remain stopped, however. He fled in the van and struck five vehicles on a side street with it before stopping on the front lawn of a residence in the 3200 block of Springbrook, Bush said.
As officers approached the van, the 34-year-old backed it up and rammed the patrol car, police said.
An officer then shot out one of the van's tires to stop it. The man then drove the van into a porch and garage before it came to a halt.
The driver then continued to resist arrest, Bush said. He was taken into custody and taken to University of Michigan Hospital with minor injuries.
The caregiver and an officer also suffered minor injuries.
No one was injured in the residence, according to police.
The investigation is ongoing.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
jns131
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 4:14 p.m.
I'd like to hear more about the guy who on Glenwood and Crestwood who hit a fence, narrowly missing a tree by 6 inches, taking out another fence completely and trying to take off down Crestwood where upon I was told was caught. Don't believe me? Should see the fence. Fence was innocent in all this.
nickcarraweigh
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 5:13 p.m.
"Honey, I'm home!"
Ann English
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 4:07 p.m.
Apparently the 34-year-old lived at this building in the 3200 block of East Eisenhower, right at its end. I'm assuming this van does NOT have hand controls for braking and accelerating.
brian
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 3:44 a.m.
Man I'm glad I live in Ypsi. Sorry A2.
Elouise
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:31 p.m.
They would just shoot the driver in Ypsi or not pursue at all... Sorry, Brian.
LA
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 1:03 a.m.
...this I saw this on Law & Order.....
Fat Bill
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 11:30 p.m.
I knew a police officer who shot out the tire of a vehicle during a pursuit, 20 years ago. He had to fight to keep his job; the department he worked for was not too keen on discharging weapons in such circumstances. I'm sure ramming the police vehicle, perhaps moving in the general direction of the officer was the justification in this case, but shooting at tires is not "standard" police procedure in most places. Hopefully we'll get a good dashcam video soon...
Ann English
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 3:50 p.m.
Usually the police drive on ahead and put down spike strips, so that all four tires get flattened.
nickcarraweigh
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 11:23 p.m.
Well, it makes sense there's a caregiver. Imagine the trouble a guy like this could get into on his own.
Paul
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 10:09 p.m.
At first I was going to post, good job in stopping the van before it hit anything but seen that wasn't the case.
Dog Guy
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 8:58 p.m.
This incident reminds me of Mr. Toad of Toad Hall.
Ann English
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 3:52 p.m.
Not pride, but the love of fast motion? It didn't matter to Mr. Toad whose motor-car it was, HE wanted to drive it.
John of Saline
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 8:39 p.m.
Is the suspect handicapped?
Elouise
Sun, Jul 7, 2013 : 3:37 p.m.
@a2citizen yes, "client" n. 1. The party for which professional services are rendered. 2. A customer or patron. 3. A person using the services of a social services agency. 4. One that depends on the protection of another. See #3 & #4...
jcj
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 10:48 a.m.
treetown Do you have "disabled" ramps on your street?
a2citizen
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 2:54 a.m.
"Clients" ? Now that is a truly original euphemism. That would explain the signs I see near many businesses, "Client Parking Only"
Elouise
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 2:30 a.m.
Given the keywords (caregiver, van, wheelchair ramp, outing), I'm guessing they were State of Michigan clients and the van was a county van. I don't think @John of Saline was trying to be funny or offensive, I think he hit it right on the nose.
Paul
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 10:11 p.m.
They can play all the word games they please, doesn't change the facts.
Homeland Conspiracy
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 9:55 p.m.
Only in YOUR world
treetowncartel
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 8:46 p.m.
The term is disabled now, not handicapped.
treetowncartel
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 8:39 p.m.
Holy Toledo Batman! Sounds like quite a bill for the auto insurance company. They have to cover the parked cars and the house, along with the van.
Rich
Fri, Jul 5, 2013 : 4:27 p.m.
Not in Michigan, pal. You take your $800 heap and run it into my late model car, the state of Michigan says each man fixes his own automobile, no matter who is at fault. Worst rule in this state, IMO
OLDTIMER3
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 11:05 a.m.
If you are legally parked the person who hit you is responsible for the damages noty your insurance company. When legally parked our NO- FAULT is not in affect.
Paul
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 10:12 p.m.
If they all have insurance coverage
Tesla
Wed, Jul 3, 2013 : 8:27 p.m.
Man that caregiver sure cared a lot about that van.
Elouise
Thu, Jul 4, 2013 : 2:27 a.m.
Caregiver, van, wheelchair ramp, outing... I'm guessing there might have been others on board or the caregiver was worried about the safety of the driver... This could very well have been a county van for the mentally and physically handicapped. ...so I doubt it was the van he was worried about.