SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Police in Oakland County purposely crashed into a speeding SUV on the freeway to arrest three people who were wanted for a variety of crimes.
The crash happened at 2:42 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, on the Lodge Freeway at Puritan Avenue in Southfield.
Officers were on patrol near 10 Mile and Evergreen roads when they learned that a maroon 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee had entered Southfield.
That SUV had been reported stolen out of Southfield on Oct. 6. It was also linked to an Oct. 11 murder in Detroit and an Oct. 17 larceny case in Garden City, according to Southfield police Chief Elvin Barren.
When officers spotted the SUV, it was heading south on the Lodge near Northland Drive.
Officers found the vehicle on the southbound Lodge near Northland Drive.
“The officers attempted to box the vehicle in, however, the driver swerved out of the way, striking our patrol vehicle, and continued fleeing,” Barren said.
Since police knew some of the men in the Jeep were linked to a murder case, they continued their pursuit, even reaching speeds over 100 mph, at times.
The Jeep continued south on the Lodge before police crashed into it intentionally. Barren said officers were hoping to get some potentially dangerous people off the streets.
All three men were taken into custody after the crash.
Police found a 9 mm handgun with an extended magazine underneath the driver’s seat. That gun had been stolen in Redford on Aug. 14, 2024, officials said.
The driver, Brandon Vanarn Flowers, is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a felony firearm violation, and fleeing and eluding.
He was arraigned in Southfield and given a $10,000 bond, cash/surety.
Officials said Flowers is also listed as a suspect in a Detroit murder case.
The front seat passenger, Vernon John Phalen Jr., was turned over to the Garden City Police Department. He is charged with breaking and entering, carrying a concealed weapon, a felony firearm violation, larceny from a building, and possession of a converted firearm.
Phalen was arraigned Monday in Garden City and given a $100,000 bond, cash/surety.
The third person arrested at the scene was an 18-year-old man from Detroit. His charges are still pending.
Police said he was in the back seat of the Jeep. He was turned over to Detroit police for probable cause in a pending murder case.
You can watch dash cam video from the chase and hear all of Barren’s comments below:
