Hillsdale County deputy catches fleeing driver

5/2/2003

LITCHFIELD, Mich. — With the use of spikes, a Hillsdale County sheriff's deputy ended a 27-minute traffic pursuit that began in the neighboring county early yesterday.

Branch County sheriff's deputies began the chase about 3 a.m. in Butler Township, with Michigan State Police taking over at the Hillsdale County line. The chase continued in northern Hillsdale County until a deputy deployed spikes to flatten the passenger-side tires of the suspect's vehicle.

The suspect, whose name was not released pending arraignment, was stopped just inside the Litchfield city limits. Branch County deputies said the suspect's driver's license had been denied and revoked eight times.

The driver was arrested for driving while license denied and revoked, fleeing and eluding police, and driving under the influence of drugs.