Eastpointe police say 38-year-old Jeremy Johnson fled in a pickup and trailer after officers told him he was under arrest. The trailer was damaged during the getaway and scattered landscaping tools across the road as the chase reached Detroit and reportedly hit speeds of about 90 mph. An officer was struck and later released after treatment; Johnson was arrested, treated for minor injuries and jailed. He faces multiple felony charges, a fourth-offense habitual offender notice and a $1 million bond.
Trailer Dumps Landscaping Tools During High-Speed Chase After Alleged Garden Center Theft
Image Credit: Macomb County News
Eastpointe police say a 38-year-old man allegedly stole items from a closed garden center and fled in a pickup pulling a trailer that later fell apart and scattered landscaping tools across the roadway during a multi-jurisdiction pursuit.
Officers were dispatched to English Gardens on Kelly Road in Eastpointe at about 1:40 a.m. on September 25 after a report of a suspicious person inside the closed business and a witness who had seen a landscaping truck and trailer parked nearby. Police located the truck as it was leaving, conducted a traffic stop and found the trailer loaded with items reportedly taken from the business and missing a license plate.
The driver, identified by authorities as Jeremy Johnson, 38, was told he was under arrest and asked to exit the vehicle. According to police, Johnson started the truck while an officer stood at the driver’s door, struck that officer and the trailer ran over the officer's legs before Johnson sped away, prompting a pursuit.
Assistance from neighboring departments followed as the chase continued into Detroit. Investigators told reporting outlets that Johnson drove into oncoming traffic, attempted to strike several police vehicles and reached speeds of about 90 mph. The trailer being dragged behind the pickup became damaged during the escape and began spilling tools and equipment onto the road; officers said the debris also damaged at least one police vehicle.
The pursuit ended on Keystone Street in Detroit, where Johnson abandoned the pickup and trailer and fled on foot. The Metro Detroit News reports that he later tried to hide by sitting on a porch and altering his appearance before officers took him into custody.
Eastpointe Police said the officer who was struck received medical care and was later released. Johnson was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and then lodged at the Macomb County Jail.
Charges and court status: The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office charged Johnson with second-degree fleeing a police officer; breaking and entering without breaking with intent; resisting or obstructing a police officer causing injury; and assault with a dangerous weapon. Eastpointe Police said those counts carry maximum sentences of 10 years, five years, four years and four years, respectively. Prosecutors also filed a fourth-offense habitual offender notice, which could significantly increase potential penalties.
According to court reporting, prosecutors told the judge that Johnson had recently completed probation for prior convictions earlier in September. At arraignment, Magistrate Mark Makoski called Johnson a danger to the community and ordered him held on a $1 million cash or surety bond with additional conditions that include a steel-cuff tether and home confinement. Johnson is due back in court on October 8 at 8 a.m.
Sources and images: News reports cited ThisIsButter, the Metro Detroit News and Macomb County News for images and additional details. Eastpointe Police emphasized that Johnson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court and thanked Warren and St. Clair Shores police departments for assistance during the multi-jurisdiction pursuit.
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