A Kimball Township man is currently being held on a $15,000 bond after assaulting police and attempting to set a garage on fire, St. Clair County Sheriff deputies report.
In the early hours of Tuesday, September 12, St. Clair County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence in Kimball Township for a domestic dispute between a man and woman at the home. While en route to the call, the woman told Central Dispatch that the man was attempting to burn the garage down.
56-year-old Curtis Graham of Kimball Township was in the detached garage turning on multiple compressed gas tanks, later positioning his vehicle close to the garage to expel exhaust into the garage.
When deputies arrived at the address, they attempted to speak to Graham outside, but he ignored them, instead getting on a UTV parked nearby. Graham then drove the vehicle directly at multiple deputies, forcing them to physically jump out of his path. Due to the hazardous weather conditions, a pursuit was not initiated.
While speaking to the woman at a nearby location, Graham was spotted by deputies again. He continued to drive recklessly, doing donuts in the middle of Wadhams Road, driving directly at deputies again and striking one patrol unit. With deputies now in pursuit of Graham on the side by side, Graham soon crashed into a ditch on Richman Road near Dove Road.
Graham continued to ignore deputies’ commands, with deputies unsuccessfully attempting to tase him twice while approaching the vehicle. During this time, Graham was still attempting to flee, revving the engine and trying to drive out of the ditch. Graham was physically removed from the side by side where he continued to resist until handcuffed and in the back of a patrol vehicle.
Curtis Graham is charged with 5 felonies: 1 count placing explosives near property, 1 count arson preparation, 1 count fleeing and eluding, 2 counts assault on a police officer. Additionally, Graham is charged with 2 misdemeanors also: domestic violence and reckless driving.
Graham was given a $15,000 cash or surety bond and remains at St. Clair County Detention and Intervention Center.
