Dowagiac Public Safety Director Tom Atkinson reports that on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 12:16 a.m. officers attempted to stop a vehicle near the intersection of Division and Front streets downtown for driving with the headlights off.
The driver refused to stop and sped south on Front at a high rate of speed, entering a residential area at the south end of town.
The vehicle continued fleeing through side streets until turning onto a service road that runs off of Johnson Street and leads to the area alongside the railroad tracks.
The fleeing vehicle came to an abrupt stop.
The driver’s door was thrown open directly in front of the pursuing squad, causing minor damage to both vehicles.
The driver, 18, ran north into a small woodlot between Johnson and the railroad property, and was apprehended about 150 yards away, after being hit with a Taser.
He was transported to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital after complaining of feeling ill.
He was treated, released from the hospital, then lodged at the Cass County Jail for fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing, operating without a license and operating while intoxicated under 21, Sgt. Mike Heidenreich reported.
Police withheld the suspect’s name  pending arraignment.