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:
