EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with the latest information from Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office.
HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Four Grand Rapids residents are now in Ottawa County Jail, after a police chase related to a stolen vehicle that ended with a crash that closed a Holland Township intersection. WHTC has confirmed the incident appears to be linked to a robbery of a Holland Township cellphone store.
At least one school in Zeeland went into lockdown mode on the first day of school during this incident.
The shutdown intersection: 112th Avenue at Lakewood Boulevard, where a crash affected a power pole.
It started when Sheriff’s deputies spotted a Chevrolet Malibu — stolen from St. Joseph County and being tracked using a GPS device, near River and Douglas avenues in Holland Township, at about 7:50 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019.
Deputies watched the car leaving a parking lot, speeding east on Lakewood Boulevard. As the driver attempted turning onto 112th Avenue, it hit a utility pole near the southbound lanes, which dropped the traffic signals, that in turn blocked the intersection.
The Malibu’s four occupants fled the crash scene on foot, according to Ottawa County Sheriff’s Capt. Mark Bennett, but two males were caught close to the crash scene to by deputies.
A female jumped into an unmarked police vehicle that had stopped to assist with the foot chase. Police found her and teh car less than two mile away, in Zeeland.
Police found the fourth suspect south of the Chicago/I-196 Business Loop near Paw Paw Drive.
One of the suspects was treated and released for a minor injury related to the crash. During the investigation, police learned about a burlgary at the Sprint shop, 65 Douglas Ave. in Holland Township.
Police recovered evidence from that burglary at the crash scene. While two of the suspects were outstanding, sheriff’s authorities had notified Zeeland Public Schools, and the nearest schools were placed on shelter-in-place lockdown. It was the first day of school for ZPS students.
The suspects, ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old, are set to be arraigned Wednesday, Aug. 28, at which point their names will be made public.
