Car theft suspect arrested after fleeing from police, later discovered by concerned resident

St. Joseph County, Michigan – A suspected car thief was arrested Saturday after he eluded police during a short chase and was later spotted by a concerned resident.

On Saturday, September 21, the Three Rivers Police Department in St. Joseph County was notified of a reported car theft in Kalamazoo County. According to the Three Rivers Police Department, the suspect may be in the Three Rivers area.

A description of the stolen vehicle was entered into Flock's automatic license plate reading system, and shortly after the information was relayed to St. Joseph County police, it led to a St. Joseph County Sheriff's deputy spotting the vehicle, police said.

The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver ignored the order and fled, police said.

The fleeing suspect crashed into another vehicle and drove across a resident's lawn before crashing, getting out of the vehicle and running away, police said.

A police dog tried unsuccessfully to track down the fleeing suspect. The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Marine Patrol and a drone team helped search the river for the suspect, who has still not been found, police said.

Several hours later, a concerned resident noticed the suspect and called 911, where police arrested the man without further incident, police said.