CROCKERY TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, May 9, 2026) – A 26-year-old Traverse City man is spending the weekend in the Ottawa County Jail following a late Saturday afternoon truck theft that ended with a police chase and subsequent crash near Nunica.
Authorities were called to a residence near Crockery Shores Road and 24th Avenue shortly after 4 PM on a report of an “unknown” Caucasian man climbing into a parked pickup in the driveway and driving off. A short time later, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Deputies spotted the suspect vehicle on Exchange Street in Spring Lake and tried to pull the truck over. A chase ensued through that village until deputies broke off the pursuit.
Several minutes later, the suspect apparently rammed a civilian vehicle at the junction of North Fruitport Road and East Savidge Street, which was occupied by three persons in their 20’s, as well as a Sheriff’s Office cruiser. The crash brought more cruisers into the area, and another pursuit eastbound along Cleveland Street (M-104) ensued.
Deputies thought they had boxed the suspect vehicle at the junction of Cleveland Street and M-231, but the Traverse City man had other ideas, smashing through several vehicles and continuing eastbound until reaching 112th Avenue. That was where a bridge spanning Crockery Creek was being reconstructed, making passage impossible. The pickup driver then turned into a private driveway, striking another vehicle, and then finally came to rest in a grove of nearby trees. Deputies were able to apprehended the suspect without further incident.
The man is expected to be arraigned on multiple charges. No injuries were reported by any of motorists whose vehicles were damaged by the suspect during his attempted flight from authorities.
The entire incident remains under investigation.
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