Two Detroit men have been arraigned on felony charges after authorities said they put lives in danger by fleeing police and driving in the wrong lanes Sunday in Warren.
Dawaun McQueen, 29, and Eric Brown, 36, both are charged with resisting a police officer and having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle, said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido in a press release. McQueen faces additional charges of fleeing police, malicious destruction of police property, assault with a dangerous weapon and reckless driving.
Lucido said Warren police were driving on Eight Mile when they saw a Ram, driven by McQueen with Brown in the passenger seat, traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes. Officers saw the Ram pull in front of a Kia Optima, then reverse into it. When police attempted to stop the driver, McQueen fled, still traveling in the wrong lanes.
McQueen crashed the Ram between a guardrail and a parked car, Lucido said, then allegedly put his vehicle in reverse and struck a police cruiser multiple times. Lucido said officers had to use “chemical spray” to get McQueen under control and take him into custody. Brown also was arrested at the scene.
“The allegations in this case reflect a brazen disregard for law enforcement and for the safety of our community,” Lucido said in the release. “Society requires that individuals comply with police and not obstruct them in their duties. In addition, fleeing from police is an inherently dangerous act that puts innocent members of the public at serious risk.”
Online court records do not list an attorney for either suspect.
The pair were arraigned Monday in 37th District Court where Judge Ed Servitto set bond for McQueen at $100,000 and for Brown at $10,000. Both have probable cause conferences scheduled for March 12.
If convicted on all felony charges, McQueen could face more than 19 years in prison. Lucido said he is a habitual offender, which could elongate his sentence. Brown could spend up to years in prison if convicted of resisting police.
“My office maintains a strict policy of not offering reduced plea agreements to individuals charged with fleeing and eluding,” Lucido said. “I will continue to take every lawful measure necessary to protect the residents of Macomb County.”
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
@max_detroitnews
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Men charged in wrong-way police chase in Warren
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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