MSP chopper takes over stolen Volvo pursuit in Detroit & leads to suspect arrests
By: Two suspects were safely apprehended Thursday evening after Michigan State Police's Aviation Unit took over a police pursuit of a stolen Volvo and tracked it to a Detroit home.
MSP said the unit's chopper -- called Trooper 2 -- remains a huge asset to police, as it allows authorities to chase after suspects without endangering law enforcement or the public.
State police reiterated this point as they released video taken from the chopper after it was called in to help fellow troopers on Feb. 23.
MSP said Metro South police were behind a stolen 2022 Volvo XC6 at a red light on westbound McNichols Rd. and M-39 Service Drive in Detroit when they tried to pull it over.
When the driver saw police, he took with police pursing for roughly to blocks. That's the Trooper 2 took over, MSP said.
The helicopter was able to keep an eye on the stolen Volvo as it eventually stopped in the area of Westbrook St. and Vassar St. in Detroit.
The chopper was able to tell troopers on the ground its location, and police were able to arrest the 22-year-old driver from Detroit and the 24-year-old passenger from Warren without any issues.
State police found a small amount of drugs on the suspects, including heroin, cocaine and Percocet. The two suspects were taken to the Detroit Detention Center and their case is pending a review by the Wayne County Prosecutor.
MSP credited the safe pursuit and subsequent arrest to their aviation unit.
"The use of aviation support allows us to still pursue these suspects with less danger to the public and troopers," MSP said. "This is just one way we are working to help build a Michigan where everyone feels safe and secure."