Two men are facing felony charges after Southfield Police say they were caught stealing wheels off a Ford F-150, rammed a patrol vehicle head-on, and ran into a nearby pond while trying to escape in the early morning hours.
Around 3 a.m., officers patrolling the area spotted the suspects in action after a 911 call about wheel thefts near an apartment complex.
The suspects fled the scene as police arrived, leading officers on a high-speed chase through the city.
At one point during the pursuit, the suspects drove on the wrong side of the road and slammed into a marked Southfield police vehicle.
Despite the impact, the officers jumped out of the cruiser and chased the suspects on foot. The driver was eventually found soaking wet — after jumping into a pond. Another suspect was found inside the vehicle hiding.
The suspects, identified as 31-year-old Trachawn Mccaa and 51-year-old Prince Madison, both of Detroit, are now charged in the case. Mccaa is facing two charges: larceny from a motor vehicle and third-degree fleeing and eluding. Madison is charged with larceny from a motor vehicle.
During the press conference, Chief Barren praised the officers’ bravery after the crash. “Despite that, they still, as I always say, stayed the game or stayed in the fight, got out of that vehicle.”
The crash left both officers with minor injuries, including back and neck pain and abrasions. Chief Barren said the situation could have been much worse. “We were going about 16 miles an hour, which, again, I’m very thankful for that low speed because you talk about momentum from two cars. This could have been a very different outcome.”
Southfield Police are reminding residents to take extra precautions when parking overnight, especially in unsecured areas like hotel and apartment lots. The city’s design and freeway access, Chief Barren said, make it a hotspot for these types of overnight crimes.
“We encourage our residents to really invest in quality alarms. If you’re a homeowner with a garage, maybe put the vehicle in the garage.”
