Snowmobiler faces felony charges after assaulting police officer, fleeing.

Hathaway

Snowmobiler faces felony charges after assaulting police officer, fleeing.

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SCOTTVILLE — A 34-year-old Scottville man was arrested Saturday, Feb. 3, on the charges of assaulting a police officer and fleeing a police officer third offense.

Brandon Charles Hathaway, of 407 N. Thomas St., was arraigned on the charges Monday in 79th District Court.

The arrest stemmed from Hathaway allegedly driving a snowmobile erratically on North Main Street about 7 p.m. Saturday. Scottville Police Officer Katrina Skinner witnessed a snowmobile heading north on Main Street as she was pulling out of Thornwild Drive. According to the Scottville Police Department, the snowmobile passed by Officer Skinner and she began to pursue it. However, the snowmobile then took off into a field. Skinner then traced the snowmobile tracks back to the Scottville Wesco gas station where she was eventually able to review surveillance video and electronic transaction records tracing back to the suspect.

Eventually Skinner was able to make contact with Hathaway at his residence where she was let the home by a guest. At that time, Hathaway allegedly grabbed Skinner and tried to physically remove her from the house. She then arrested him for assault.

Assaulting a police officer is a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to two years and/or a fine of not more than $2,000.

Fleeing a police officer third degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine of not more than $1,000.

Scottville city ordinance allows the use of snowmobiles to only pass through town and go to and from homes and businesses (no joy riding). Snowmobiles must stay on a traveled portion of the roadway and only go at a speed to maintain a forward momentum. Vehicles must be registered with the State of Michigan and are not allowed

I believe it says they must stay on the traveled portion of the roadway and only go at a speed to maintain forward momentum. Also only to pass through town and go to and from homes/businesses (no joy riding). Also MCC property, McPhail, River Park off limits.

Bail was set at $5,000, 10% and a probable cause hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14 at 1:15 p.m. and a preliminary examination at Feb. 21 at 11:15 a.m.

Editor’s Note: A probable cause conference or hearing is held in felony cases following arraignment. It is a time set for the defense attorney and prosecutor to meet to determine if a preliminary examination will be held or will be waived. The probable cause conference is designed to expedite matters, accept an early plea or resolution to the case, and to preserve victim testimony at the earliest possible stage. During this stage is when the district court judge determines if the case should be bound over to circuit court. The probable cause hearing is often waived, meaning the case goes right to circuit court.

If the matter is not resolved at the probable cause conference, the case continues to proceed in the district court, and a preliminary examination must be held not less than five or more than seven days following the probable cause conference.

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