Man arrested after ramming police car with stolen vehicle during pursuit

ABC 57

VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. -- The South Haven Police Department reports at around 10:22 a.m. on Thursday they received a call about a 2012 GMC Acadia stolen near 1200 Phoenix St.

Police say they quickly found the vehicle near the tire inflator at the BP gas station and attempted a traffic stop.

The report states the driver refused to comply, at which point a high-speed pursuit was initiated.

During the chase, police say the suspect deliberately rammed a patrol vehicle while attempting to evade capture.

Police continued the chase and coordinated with assisting agencies to deploy a tire deflation device.

The device was successfully deployed near C.R. 388 and 62nd Street, causing the suspect to lose control of the vehicle and crash.

The suspect driver was identified as a 49-year-old Traverse City area man.

He now faces charges of fleeing and eluding, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault on a law enforcement officer, and reckless driving.

Authorities say no officers were seriously injured, though the patrol vehicle sustained damage.

The stolen vehicle was recovered and is being processed as part of the ongoing investigation.

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