Scottville man charged with attempted murder of police officer for nearly pushing deputy into passing logging truck

Scottville man charged with attempted murder of police officer for nearly pushing deputy into passing logging truck

SCOTTVILLE — A 46-year-old Scottville man was arrested on seven criminal charges after nearly pushing a Mason County sheriff’s deputy into the into the side of a passing logging semi-truck on Main Street and attempting to disarm the deputy Thursday, Jan. 25, shortly after 11:30 a.m., according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.

The man had fled from the deputy — reaching a speed of 75 mph in a 25 mph zone — after a “be on the lookout” alert was issued for a possible drunk driver. He nearly hit a pedestrian with his vehicle during the chase, said Sheriff Cole.

“At 11:38 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, the Mason/Oceana County 911 Center put out a ‘be on the lookout’ for a possible drunk driver traveling eastbound on Hansen Road near Stiles Road in Mason County’s Amber Township,” stated Sheriff Cole. “A Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on patrol on North Scottville Road at the US 31 bypass and spotted the reported vehicle as it was making a turn onto Scottville Road from North US 31. The deputy confirmed the plate and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to stop, traveling southbound on Scottville Road/North Main Street at a slow speed and into the City of Scottville.

“After several blocks, the vehicle pulled into a Scottville business parking lot and stopped,” said Sheriff Cole. “As the deputy was about to exit his patrol car, the suspect fled through the parking lot back onto North Main Street, and nearly struck a pedestrian walking in a crosswalk near the Wesco. The suspect fled southbound on Main and ran the red light at State Street.

“The vehicle accelerated up to approximately 75 mph in a 25 mph zone before pulling into a driveway in the 500 block of South Main Street in the City of Scottville.

During the ensuing arrest, the suspect grabbed one of the deputies by his exterior vest carrier and pushed him backwards, reportedly in an attempt to shove the deputy into the side of a passing logging semi-truck. The suspect then grabbed the deputy’s handgun, attempting to disarm the deputy. The deputy and suspect ended up on the ground on centerline of the road.

“Traffic stops are unpredictable and in light of the tragic death of the Michigan State Police trooper (Joel Popp, 39, in Saginaw County) the night before, I am profoundly grateful the driver of the logging truck slowed and moved well to the left. Body cam video clearly shows the suspect was able to shove the deputy out into the travel lanes of the road, within just a couple feet of the passing logging truck.”

The suspect faces the following charges:

• attempted murder of a law enforcement officer;
• attempt to disarm a law enforcement officer;
• three counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police;
• fleeing and eluding law enforcement; and
• operating while intoxicated.

He remains lodged in the Mason County Jail awaiting arraignment.

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