Robbery suspects lead police on high-speed chase
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – It was a crime spree that started in Portage around 2:30 pm on Monday at Madawar Jewelers.
Police say an alert manager at Madawar Jewelers was suspicious of two men as soon as they walked into the store, so instead of showing them a very expensive ring, he tricked them with a replica, and it was that replica that the suspects snatched before running off.
Police say the two men headed east on I-94, Calhoun County Deputies spotted them just east of Battle Creek in Emmett Township. The two continued running from police until they got off the highway on 22 ½ Mile Road, where they hit two patrol cars before police took them into custody.
On Tuesday, Newschannel 3 spoke to the manager to get his perspective on the situation.
The suspects came into the store around 2:30 pm on Tuesday. The suspected crook was looking at a very nice diamond solitaire engagement ring, but after some quick thinking by the manager, he wound up running off with a much less expensive sample ring.
Police say 19-year-old Caleb Mackey came into the store, while his driver, 18-year-old Corey Williams, waiting outside. The store manager says he showed Mackey rings for more than 20 minutes while the store was busy. The manager says he knew something was up, so when Mackey finally asked to look at a $2,300 ring, the manager grabbed a sample ring worth about $20 instead.
“He wanted to see rings here, but I really didn't feel comfortable with him,” said Michael Nashef, Madawar Jewelers Manager, “this industry we just follow our instincts, we have to.”
Surveillance video shows the suspect snatch the ring and run as soon as the last customer leaves.
“While I was extending my hand, he snatched it and he ran out,” said Nashef. “I decided that I'm going to go after him to at least grab the license plate.”
Nashef says the crooks turned down a dead end, and he caught up with them in his car on their way back.
“I was going toward him and he was coming toward me,” said Nashef.
They ended up hitting Nashef's SUV before heading to I-94 east. That's where Sgt. Brent Lincoln and the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office entered the picture.
“The original information came out from Portage saying they had a robbery, there was two black suspects in a gray Mazda Protege,” said Sgt. Lincoln.
Deputies were able to quickly spot the car.
“They tried to stop the car and then it just took off on them,” said Sgt. Lincoln.
During the pursuit, speeds reached more than 125 miles an hour before the suspect vehicle lost control and spun off the road, somehow the driver managed to get back on pavement, narrowly missing a patrol car.
“At that point the decision was made to get the vehicle stopped before somebody got hurt or killed in an accident,” said Sgt. Lincoln.
A few miles on, the suspects took exit 115 at more than 100 miles per hour and flew off the road, crippling their vehicle.
“We thought it was going to end there,” said Sgt. Lincoln. “We weren't sure if their vehicle was going to be able to keep going after a spin out like that.”
But the car kept going, and police say the suspects began ramming patrol cars until they were finally pushed off the road. Both men took off on foot, but were arrested shortly after.
19-year-old Caleb Mackey has been charged in Calhoun county with resisting and obstructing, while 18-year-old Corey Williams has been charged with fleeing and eluding, two counts of resisting and obstructing and felonious assault with a motor vehicle.
Portage Police have also submitted a list of charges against the suspects. Those charges have not been signed off on by a judge yet, so they can't be released.
Officials in Calhoun County say they believe that Williams and Mackey may be responsible for a number of similar robberies up and down I-94.
Williams and Mackey are currently being held at the Calhoun County Jail.
