SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — Southfield police have arrested three suspects wanted in connection with crimes in the Metro Detroit area.
Police dashcam footage shows the high-speed chase and law enforcement officers performing pit maneuvers to stop a stolen car.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said they were notified around 2:45 a.m. Friday that there was a stolen car in Southfield.
Police pursued the stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling southbound on the Lodge Freeway, at times traveling more than 100 miles per hour.
“The officers attempted to close in on the vehicle, but the driver swerved out of the way, struck our patrol vehicle and continued to flee,” Barren said.
He said because there was very little traffic and the weather was clear, officers chose to deliberately hit the car to end the chase. The officers took the three people in the car into custody and also found a stolen gun.
“Southfield officers recovered a stolen 9mm handgun with an extended magazine under the front driver’s seat. Please note this firearm was also stolen from the City of Redford on August 14 of this year,” Barren said.
The driver, 20-year-old Brandon Flowers, has been charged with fleeing and eluding, along with other weapons charges. Police said he is also a suspect in an ongoing homicide case in Detroit.
The passenger, 19-year-old Vernon Phalen, was turned over to Garden City police on burglary, theft and other firearms charges.
The third suspect, who was in the backseat of the car, has not yet been identified. The 18-year-old was turned over to Detroit police as a suspect in a murder in progress.
“We wouldn’t waste an opportunity on where people wanted to commit murder, and we wouldn’t give that family a chance for closure,” Barren said.
Kelly Vaughen
