On Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at approximately 9:51 A.M., deputies from the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office attempted to make a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle which led to a chase pursuit through four different townships and eventual arrests.

The Sheriff’s Office had received information of a possible stolen pickup that had possibly been repainted to conceal it. Deputies located the vehicle at a residence in Morton TWP and started to conduct surveillance, in which they observed the vehicle pulling out of the residence. Deputies were stationed to intercept the vehicle as suspected stolen pickup passed by an unmarked Sheriff’s Office vehicle conducting surveillance and the driver was identified as being wanted. Deputies then, utilizing marked patrol vehicles, pulled behind the suspected stolen pickup that was now pulling a small utility trailer. The suspect accelerated and fled at a high rate of speed when deputies activated their emergency lights and siren.

Deputies notified Meceola Central Dispatch of the pursuit and they in turn made notification to the
surrounding counties. The suspect fled with a passenger in the vehicle, who was not identified, driving at speeds reaching 110 miles per hour. The pursuit went through Morton, Martiny, Sheridan, and Wheatland townships and the villages of Remus and Mecosta. The Sheriff’s Office attempted to deploy "stop sticks" on two different occasions but the suspect drove through the ditch to avoid the device. The suspect then drove through a fence onto a small airport property, driving onto the grass runway. Deputies then were able to PIT the fleeing truck to end the pursuit.

Once the pickup was disabled, the driver and passenger both fled on foot from the scene. Deputies gave chase on foot and were able to catch and take both suspects into custody without further incident. Both were found to be wanted and were in possession of methamphetamine.

Deputies conducted follow-up searches at the scene of the foot pursuit and recovered a stolen, altered handgun that was loaded at the time and property, ammunition, and burglary tools in the pickup that was confirmed stolen. Deputies then followed up at the residence where the suspects left and were able to locate a stolen SUV, passenger car, motorcycle, and trailer. Deputies also located additional stolen property, both reported and unreported, from numerous thefts including two sawed off shotguns. There was also a female hiding in the residence, who was wanted, and was taken into custody without incident along with the wanted resident.

All the suspects were transported to the Mecosta County Jail where they were lodged on multiple felony charges. Their names and charges are being held pending arraignment in the 77th District Court.