A theft at a Meijer store in Frenchtown Township turned into a high-speed police chase across two interstates Thursday night, ending when the suspects’ vehicle crashed into a construction zone on I-75 in Monroe County.

A Meijer store in Michigan. Photo: 42-BRT via Wikimedia Commons

Just before 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, the Meijer at 1700 N. Telegraph Road in Frenchtown Township reported two people had broken into an electronics display case. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office says the pair may also be connected to other recent thefts at Meijer locations in the Downriver area.

Deputy Austin Graham spotted the suspects’ vehicle heading north on Monroe Street near Mall Road and tried to pull it over. The driver fled — north on Monroe Street, then onto southbound I-275 and southbound I-75.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a construction zone near South Otter Creek Road. Both occupants ran from the vehicle on foot. Deputies set up a perimeter and, with help from an aerial drone, found both hiding in a nearby field.

The driver, a 27-year-old man from Fairmont, West Virginia, was lodged in the Monroe County Jail. The passenger, a 17-year-old boy from Detroit, was lodged at the Monroe County Youth Center.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 734-240-7758.

Sources: Monroe News | ClickOnDetroit / WDIV