ADA TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- As of Thursday afternoon, police had rounded up three of five people they say were in a stolen S-U-V this morning that went through a red light and crashed into a car, causing it to roll over.
That was around 7:15 a.m. on the East Beltline at Burton Street. Sgt. Eric Brunner tells WOOD Radio the stolen S-U-V had been located in a Planet Fitness parking lot near the Beltline and 28th Street after being stolen in Ada Village around 6:30 this morning. A chase ensued.
"The pursuit last just less than a minute. Deputies witnessed that crash. They immediately extricated the victim from his vehicle. (He is) a 25-year-old Grand Rapids man. Luckily, he should be doing pretty well. He was taken to the hospital to be checked out for non-life threatening injuries," Brunner said.
Meanwhile, five suspects got out of the S-U-V and took off running. They were wearing surgical masks. Three have been caught. One is in the hospital now. Brunner says found a firearm on one of the suspects (see photo). One is 18 years old and the other two are juveniles. Calvin University was on lockdown for a short time while police from multiple departments searched for the suspects.
Here is more information from the KCSO in a Thursday afternoon news release:
ADA TOWNSHIP, Mich: KCSO deputies received a report of a stolen vehicle in the 500 Block of Village Springs Dr SE around 6:30 AM. Sometime before then, suspects were able to steal a black Ford SUV with the keys left in it. Just before 7:15 AM, KCSO deputies spotted it along Lake Eastbrook BLVD and attempted to stop the stolen SUV. The vehicle fled northbound on the East Beltline Ave. The SUV ran a red light at Burton St and struck a westbound Ford Taurus causing it to roll over.
Five suspects fled the stolen car and one was spotted by deputies as possibly armed. Deputies got the driver of the Taurus out and summoned medical assistance. It is expected that the non-at-fault 25-year-old Grand Rapids man will be treated and released from the hospital. A KCSO K9 Team and two Michigan State Police K9 Teams assisted in tracking the fleeing suspects. One suspect was apprehended by a civilian nearby and turned over to police. Two more were apprehended by police with a loaded handgun being located on one juvenile (ages 14, 15, & 18). Two suspects remain outstanding at this time.
To date, the KCSO has investigated 187 stolen vehicle complaints. In the same time period last year, 178. In 2022, KCSO had 358 stolen vehicles in total. We continue our attempt to curb these thefts and bring resolution to the many victims of these crimes. Please help us out by keeping your cars locked and keys inside your home.
###