Ontario McDowell, 49, of Harper Woods, was arrested after allegedly attempting to commit retail fraud at a Menards in St. Clair County. As reported by CBS News Detroit, McDowell led police on a high-speed chase that ended with a crash. McDowell returned to the Menards parking lot, where deputies investigated the initial theft report and entered a red Dodge Ram pickup truck.
When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, McDowell chose to flee, thus initiating a pursuit down Lapeer Road. The chase ceased near the Allen Road roundabout "due to exessive speeds," according to the CBS News Detroit report. Subsequently, McDowell lost control of the vehicle, crashing it into a wooded area. He then attempted to escape on foot into the woods, where a Port Huron police K-9 unit was later located, and he was arrested.
Following the incident, McDowell required hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, after which he was lodged at the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center. About the pursuit and theft attempt, he faces charges that include fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing, possessing analogs, organized retail fraud, and a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving, as outlined by authorities and reported by ClickOnDetroit. His arraignment hearing occurred yesterday, and his bond was $15,000.
