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Wemple
Muskegon man who fled police, rammed cruiser, faces up to 5 years imprisonment.
#MasonCountyCrime
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief and Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
LUDINGTON— Mark Allen Wemple, 59, of 2528 E. Broadway Ave., Muskegon, the man who allegedly threw a beer can out the window of his vehicle — in view of a Mason County sheriff deputy, then eventually rammed into a police car, in the early hours of Tuesday, Sept. 5, was arraigned later that day in Mason County’s 79th District Court.
Wemple has been charged with: fleeing a police officer third degree, a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $1,000; felonious assault, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or a fine up to $2,000; operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated third offense, a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine or up to $5,000; two counts of resisting and opposing a police officer, felonies punishable by up to two years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $2,000; driving while license suspended second offense, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year imprisonment and/or up to $1,000 in fines; and open intoxicant, a misdemeanor punishable by community service and substance abuse screening.
The incident started at 12:19 a.m. on Sept. 5 when sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a report of a reckless driver in the area of US 31 and Decker Road, according to Sheriff Kim Cole.
“The caller was a concerned motorist who was behind the suspect vehicle. A deputy spotted the suspect vehicle, a 2008 Chevy Silverado pickup, in the area of US 10 and Gordon Road and attempted a traffic stop,” Cole continued. “The driver reportedly threw a beer can out the window and fled westbound on US 10 at speeds up to 90 mph. West of the US 31 freeway on-ramp, the vehicle intentionally drove into the side of an MCSO patrol car and ended up in a ditch. The driver locked the doors and refused to exit the vehicle, accelerating in effort to get out of the ditch. Deputies had to force their way into the vehicle while the driver continued to race the engine to get out of the ditch.”
Wemple has been lodged at the Mason County Jail with a bail amount of $15,000, cash/surety. His arraignment information states “Release on personal recognizance shall not reasonably ensure public safety.”
A preliminary court examination is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 11:15 a.m.
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