The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a retail fraud incident that led to a vehicle pursuit.
Deputies responded to the Menards store in Port Huron Township on Saturday, March 29, for a male subject that had attempted to steal merchandise and fled from the store on foot.
While deputies were still on location investigating the matter, the suspect was observed returning to the parking lot and entering a red Dodge Ram pickup. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle by activating emergency lights and sirens. The suspect then led deputies on a vehicle pursuit towards Lapeer Road, continuing to flee westbound.
The vehicle pursuit was terminated on Lapeer Road east of Allen Road due to excessive speeds. The suspect then failed to negotiate the curve at the Allen Road roundabout and crashed into a wooded area. He then fled on foot into the woods.
The Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Port Huron Police Department K9 unit. The suspect was located after a K9 track through the woods and was taken into custody. After arrest, he was found to be in possession of a controlled substance.
Ontario McDowell, a 49-year-old male from Harper Woods, was taken into custody. He was treated at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center pending arraignment.
McDowell was arraigned Monday morning on several charges, including one count each of fleeing and eluding, organized retail fraud, possession of analogues, reckless driving and two counts of resisting and obstructing police. Bond was set at $15,000 cash/surety.
