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Posted on Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 2 p.m.

Milan teenager accused of fleeing from Saline police faces several charges

By Art Aisner

A Milan teenager accused of evading Saline police officers after leading them on brief car and foot chases last month has been charged with multiple felonies.

Franklyn Rutkowski, 18, was arraigned on counts of fleeing and eluding police and resisting and obstructing officers who were trying to pull him over on March 7, court records show. He was released on a personal bond.

Rutkowski was arrested late last month after investigators said they were able to identify him as the driver of a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix that was speeding on Macon Road at about 1:45 a.m., police reports said.

An officer also noticed a taillight was out on the vehicle and attempted to stop the driver. But the driver sped away and then abruptly turned into a driveway in the 9000 block of Macon Road. He ditched the vehicle and ran through a wooded area behind a home, reports said.

Officers followed but couldn’t locate him. A Washtenaw County Sheriff’s K-9 unit tracked the driver to a different street in the area. Along the way, police found two Timberland boots that they collected as evidence, reports said.

Investigators later determined the boots belonged to Rutkowski, who was driving a vehicle registered to his mother. Officers found his homework in the vehicle, reports said. They also learned he visited a friend near where the K-9 track led and asked that friend for help, including footwear, police reports said.

Rutkowski, a forward on the Saline Hornets Hockey Club, could face up to five and two years in prison if convicted of the respective charges.

Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.

Comments

simply amazed

Tue, Jun 8, 2010 : 1:28 p.m.

Whatever happened to this young adult?

swcornell

Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 11:28 p.m.

Fleeing in a car... I think he should be charged with attempted murder. Attempted murder of the other people and pedestrians on the road. Treat fleeing in a vehicle with the seriousness it deserves!!! And if he did it drunk never let him drive again.

Ann English

Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 6:30 p.m.

So he enjoyed the mobility to be on a hockey team? Then he goes on to misuse that mobility. Not every teenager can go places freely to socialize.

Donttasemebro

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 2:45 p.m.

What does it add to the story to say he is on the hockey team? Did he score a goal while running from the police?

dading dont delete me bro

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 2:45 p.m.

18 and fleeing from police...NOT a wise choice mr. i can be tried as an adult now.