Suspect Arrested Following Violent Car Theft and Police Chase in Michigan

BRUCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — In a series of incidents leading from a car theft to a high-speed police chase, authorities arrested 32-year-old Michael Southworth on March 16, just before 4 p.m. Southworth is accused of smashing the driver-side window of a white Cadillac sedan at a Mobil gas station located at 24 Mile Road and Shelby Road, prompting a pursuit by law enforcement.

The chase, captured on surveillance footage, observed Southworth fleeing northbound on M-53 in Washington Township. The pursuit ended when his vehicle veered off the road and stopped in a field north of 34 Mile Road. Authorities reported that Southworth exited his car wielding a long gun, reportedly ignoring commands from police, which led an officer from the Michigan State Police (MSP) to fire shots. Southworth was subsequently apprehended without further incident.

According to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, Southworth was arraigned in court on charges related to the incident. He currently remains in custody at the Macomb County Jail, where he has been assigned a $1 million cash and surety bond.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, 24-year-old Deon Charleston Brooks of Warren is facing serious charges for his alleged involvement in a criminal enterprise dedicated to stealing high-end vehicles across Macomb County. Prosecutors announced that the total value of the stolen vehicles exceeds $1 million.

Brooks’s criminal activities reportedly began between August 2023 and February 2024, where he is accused of stealing luxury vehicles from dealerships in Washington Township, including Serra Cadillac and Heidebreicht Chevrolet. In a notable incident on Feb. 29, when confronted by officers while attempting to flee in a stolen vehicle from the Heidebreicht lot, Brooks evaded arrest but was captured shortly thereafter.

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido commented, “This individual has repeatedly demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law, engaging in a pattern of criminal activity that not only endangers public safety but also undermines the rights of hardworking citizens.” Brooks has been arraigned and is expected back in court later this month.

In Berkley, a different chase highlighted the ongoing challenges for law enforcement. Nineteen-year-old Cameron Scott from Southfield fled police at high speeds that reached 70 mph after officers attempted to stop him for a traffic violation just after midnight on Wednesday. The pursuit transitioned into Oak Park, where Scott allegedly discarded a loaded handgun from his vehicle before surrendering to police. He is now facing multiple charges, including fleeing and eluding.

Additionally, on March 13, Southfield police announced the arrest of Tyree Pitts, 21, and James Lee Harris, 18, along with a 17-year-old male suspect from Detroit, suspected of operating a car theft ring. The arrests followed an attempted car theft reported by a resident, and subsequently led to two foot pursuits involving law enforcement.

Police Chief Elvin Barren characterized the suspects’ operation as organized and stressed the importance of community vigilance in preventing further criminal activities.

Lastly, an unusual case has emerged involving Sam Zahar, the owner of Dream Luxury Car Rental in Southfield. Zahar found out that a renter used a luxury Rolls-Royce, costing $1,750 per day to facilitate a string of thefts across three counties. Unbeknownst to him, the rented vehicle was linked to criminal activities, including bank robberies. This incident, along with previous occurrences of rental vehicles being exploited for thefts, has raised concerns for Zahar and other rental car business owners.