HOWELL, Mich. – A man who was seen by witnesses smashing the windows of the Howell Police Department patrol cars with an axe has been arrested.
The incident occurred in the department’s parking lot on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 2:25 p.m.
Officers could respond to their patrol duties and investigate thanks to the quick thinking of witnesses who promptly reported the incident.
Officials said the suspect had fled the scene when they arrived at the department.
Officers and Deputies from the Hamburg Township Police Department and the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist with a search of the area using drones and a canine.
Officials said the search was unsuccessful; however, surveillance video and neighboring Ring cameras provided a good suspect description.
At 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 3, the suspect turned himself in at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said he admitted to the damage and was taken into custody. He was wearing the same clothing as the one observed in the video.
There was damage to three Howell Police Department patrol units and the Code Enforcement vehicle.
Officials said the damage consisted mainly of broken glass.
The man currently lodged at the Livingston County Jail is well known to local law enforcement.
Officials say he suffers from apparent mental health issues, and assistance has been attempted by more than one agency within the county via Community Mental Health.