Pursuit ends in felony charges for driver, passengers

WARREN — A lengthy pursuit on June 15 resulted in felony charges for the driver and passengers of an alleged stolen vehicle that fled from Warren police.

Marquez Bridges, 19, of Detroit; Darius Johnson, 20, of Detroit; and Jamell McLaughlin, 20, of Warren, were arraigned on June 16 in 37th District Court before Judge Michael Chupa. The three defendants were charged with receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle, a five-year felony; carrying a concealed weapon, a five-year felony; and resisting and obstructing police, a two-year felony.

Bridges, the driver of the Chrysler 300, the alleged stolen vehicle, faces additional charges of third-degree fleeing and eluding, a felony punishable to up to five years in prison; possession of a stolen financial transaction device, a four-year felony; and a felony weapons charge.

Johnson is also charged with manufacturing and delivery of a Schedule II narcotic, a five-year felony, and a felony weapons charge.

McLaughlin was also charged with possession of a stolen financial transaction device.

According to the Warren Police Department, the vehicle pursuit started in Warren, went through Detroit then ended in Harper Woods. At 4:05 a.m. on June 15, patrol officers near Stephens and Hayes roads in Warren were on a routine patrol and noticed a black 2015 Chrysler 300. Michigan Secretary of State records indicated the Chrysler was reported stolen in April 2023 from Farmington Hills. Officers reportedly saw the driver and two passengers in the vehicle.

“Officers went to affect a stop on the Chrysler with the Chrysler immediately fleeing from officers,” police stated in a press release. “Warren police then pursued the Chrysler at moderate speeds through Warren and Detroit.”

According to the release, “The pursuit continued onto I-75 wherein the suspects exited onto Jefferson Ave and continued to evade officers. Eventually, the Chrysler came to a sudden stop in the I-94 and (Kelly) area in the city of Harper Woods.”

The three suspects reportedly exited the vehicle and fled on foot in various directions. According to the release, Warren officers established a perimeter and searched for the suspects with the assistance of a police K-9 from the Michigan State Police.

The suspects were located and arrested without incident. Police reportedly found and seized a handgun, ammunition, a large quantity of narcotic pills and cash.

The defendants entered a not guilty plea at the arraignment. Chupa set a cash or surety bond for Bridges at $300,000. Johnson’s bond was set at $100,000, and McLaughlin’s bond was set at $150,000. If released, the defendants are required to wear a GPS tether.

“I commend the Prosecutor’s Office for issuing appropriate charges and am proud that the judge issued a satisfactory bond which will help ensure that these suspects can no longer harm members of the community,” said Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer. “The Warren Police Department will remain proactive in identifying, investigating and seeking charges against anybody who attempts to flee from officers.”

Avis Hany Choulagh is the attorney of record for Johnson. Choulagh did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

Court-appointed attorneys for Bridges and McLaughlin had not yet been assigned at press time, according to the 37th District Court.

Bridges, Johnson and McLaughlin await their June 29 probable cause conference before Judge John Chmura in 37th District Court.