BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A Redford Township man was arrested Saturday after allegedly stealing a tree trimming truck and driving it recklessly across Metro Detroit while high on meth.
In the afternoon of Saturday, March 16, a 35-year-old Redford Township man stole a “large tree trimming truck” that had a woddchipper in tow, police report. It wasn’t clear exactly where the vehicle was stolen from, but Michigan State Police say the man was first pursued by authorities in Redford Township.
Redford Township police reportedly ended their pursuit after the man crashed into one of their police cars with the tree trimming truck. The man continued driving the stolen vehicle up into Livingston County, reaching the area around 4:30 p.m., police said.
At that time, it was believed the man had a handgun on him. The man was accused of robbing someone of their dog at gunpoint while driving across Metro Detroit.
Police said they were also told the man was possibly high on meth.
At around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, “several” 911 calls were made about a reckless driver in Brighton Township and Livingston County. Callers said the person was driving off the road, hitting mailboxes, and had “almost gone head on with several cars,” MSP reports.
Police found the man shortly after he crashed the stolen truck into a tree in Brighton Township at the corner of Hilton Road and Old US-23. The man took off on foot after the crash, and was found inside a large Rubbermaid container outside of a nearby home, police said.
The man was arrested and “indicated” that he had taken meth or “another unknown drug,” police said. The man also admitted to stealing a dog at gunpoint, but told officials that the dog jumped out of the truck while he was driving.
The dog hadn’t been found as of Sunday night. Police did not say whether they found a gun on the man.
The man is being charged with “numerous” crimes, including operating a vehicle while intoxicated and the unlawful driving away of an automobile. He has so far only been identified as a 35-year-old Redford Township resident, but his identity will become public once he’s arraigned on the charges.
He was going to be held at the Livingston County Jail following medical clearance, officials said.
Anyone with more information about what happened is asked to call MSP Trooper Jackson Winters at 810-227-1051.