Niles Michigan State trooper injured while making arrest

Published 9:00 am Monday, April 8, 2019

BENTON HARBOR — A Michigan State trooper from the Niles Post was injured Friday afternoon while attempting to make an arrest in Benton Harbor, according to Michigan State Police.

The event took place at approximately 3:40 p.m. Friday, April 5 on Ogden Avenue near Division Avenue. The trooper had stopped a vehicle and said they noticed that the driver smelled of intoxicants.

The driver would not provide a driver’s license and when asked to step from the vehicle, the driver refused.  The trooper opened the driver’s door to place him under arrest.  During this, a struggle ensued and the driver was able to put the vehicle into drive and accelerate away from the scene as the trooper hung onto the door and steering wheel.

The suspect drove the vehicle approximately 1,070 feet before crashing into a parked vehicle.  This collision threw the trooper from the suspect’s vehicle onto the roadway. The suspect then attempted to flee on foot and continued to resist arrest.  The trooper took the suspect into custody with the assistance of an off-duty officer and responding authorities.

The trooper and suspect were treated for minor injuries at Lakeland Hospital-St. Joseph and released.

The 32-year-old male suspect was lodged at the Berrien County Jail on the following preliminary charges:

• Carrying concealed weapon-firearm

• Felonious assault

• Resisting and obstructing arrest

• Flee and elude

• Operating while intoxicated-third offense

• Felon in possession of a firearm

• Felony firearm

Troopers were assisted at the scene by Benton Harbor Police and Benton Township Police.