WESTLAND, Mich. – Six people, including four children, were taken into custody after a stolen car crashed into multiple garages, a Westland police car, and a light pole while fleeing cops.
Westland officials said they were called around 2:20 a.m. Thursday, April 11, 2024, to the 35000 block of Hunter Avenue because someone was trying to steal a car.
When police arrived, they said they saw a stolen white Kia Optima try to flee, but it crashed into multiple garages, causing a lot of damage.
An officer got out of his car, but the Optima sped right at him, forcing him to back away to prevent getting hit, police said. The Optima struck the driver’s side door of the patrol vehicle, where the officer had been standing moments earlier.
Another officer saw the Optima and tried to pull it over, but it fled and led police on a pursuit that ended when the driver crashed into a light pole in the area of Ford Road and Central City Parkway.
The 15-year-old Detroit girl driving the car ran away and was arrested after a short foot chase, police said. She was taken to the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility.
Three other children, including a 12-year-old Detroit girl and a 13-year-old Detroit boy, were taken into custody and turned over to their parents. Criminal complaints were forwarded to the Wayne County Juvenile Court, officials said.
James Hayes and Kahari Thomas, both 18, of Detroit, were charged with receiving and concealing stolen property. They were both given $10,000 personal bonds and must wear GPS tethers, if released.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for April 25.
Here’s video of the pursuit:
**WESTLAND POLICE PRESS RELEASE** Westland MI – (April 12, 2024) Westland Police Officer responding to a report of an attempt car theft nearly struck by fleeing vehicle. The Westland Police Department responded to the 35000 block of Hunter Avenue at approximately 2:20 a.m. on Thursday morning, April 11 on a report of an attempt car theft. Upon arrival in the area officers were alerted to a nearby vehicle that may be involved. Upon approaching the vehicle it attempted to flee the area and crashed into multiple garages causing a great deal of property damage. When a responding officer exited his vehicle the suspect vehicle attempted to flee without regard for the officer in its path. This forced the officer to retreat to prevent being struck. The fleeing vehicle struck the driver’s side door of the patrol vehicle where the responding officer had initially been standing. Another officer in the area observed the suspect vehicle, a stolen white Kia Optima, and attempted to pull it over. The vehicle refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit that ended in the area of Ford and Central City Parkway where it lost control struck a light pole. Responding officers were able to apprehend all of the suspects involved consisting of two adults and four juveniles. The driver of the suspect vehicle, a 15 year old female Detroit resident, was arrested after a short foot pursuit and transported to the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility. The remaining juveniles, a 12 year old female Detroit resident and a 13 year old male Detroit resident were turned over to their parents and criminal complaints were forwarded to the Wayne County Juvenile Court for each. James Hayes, an 18 year old Detroit resident, was arraigned by the Honorable Judge McConnell on a felony charge of receiving and concealing stolen property. Hayes was issued a $10,000 personal bond and must be fitted with a GPS tether. Hayes is ordered to appear back at the 18th District Court on April 25th for a probable cause conference. Kahari Thomas, an 18 year old Detroit resident, was arraigned by the Honorable Judge McConnell on a felony charge of receiving and concealing stolen property. Thomas was issued $10,000 personal bond and must be fitted with a GPS tether. Thomas is ordered to appear back at the 18th District Court on April 25th for a probable cause conference. Ref: 240019950
Posted by Westland Police Community Partnership on Friday, April 12, 2024
