Juvenile Arrested After Vehicle Theft with Toddler Inside, Leads Police on Chase
A juvenile was arrested after stealing a vehicle containing a 15-month-old toddler and leading several Michigan law enforcement agencies on a chase that ended in a crash, authorities said.
The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on July 17 at a gas station in St. Clair County. Port Huron Police notified the sheriff's office, prompting an immediate search for the vehicle.
Authorities reported that a neighboring police agency attempted to stop the vehicle without success. Shortly thereafter, a sheriff's deputy located the stolen vehicle traveling westbound on I-94 near County Line Road. The driver refused to stop, continuing to flee from law enforcement.
During the pursuit, the driver exited I-94 at 23 Mile Road, maneuvering dangerously in front of oncoming traffic to reenter the freeway. Dashcam footage from the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office captures the vehicle swerving off the highway before crashing into at least one parked vehicle in the Sugarbush Tavern lot in Chesterfield.
The sheriff's office has not disclosed the suspect's identity but noted that they are a juvenile with a “lengthy criminal history.” According to St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King, “When a child is involved, situations are certainly more heightened, and we are all grateful the child was unharmed in this instance.”
An investigation is ongoing, with no reported injuries stemming from the crash.