A Tampa, Fla. resident accused of kidnapping a man outside of a Shelby Township gym is expected to be arraigned Wednesday following a chase through multiple Macomb County communities that ended with the abducted man being released.
Three other individuals who fled on foot in the area of 15 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue escaped capture Monday night and remain on the loose, according to police.
Shelby Township police would not say why the victim was targeted, but said it didn’t appear to be a random act.
“This is still a very active investigation,” Sgt. Mark Benedettini said Tuesday.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office said the 38-year-old suspect faces 12 felony counts, including carjacking, armed robbery, torture, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, four conspiracy charges, and three counts of felony firearm.
The Florida man is scheduled to be arraigned in 41A District Court. He faces life in prison if convicted on the carjacking, robbery, and torture charges.
According to police and prosecutors, the incident began about 7:15 p.m. Monday when witnesses called Shelby Township police to say a man had been kidnapped at gunpoint by four attackers from the parking lot of a Lifetime Fitness on Lakeside Boulevard, in the area of Hall and Hayes roads.
The suspect and accomplices bound the victim before placing him in his GMC pickup truck and driving off.
Several police agencies in central Macomb County began a manhunt in an effort to locate a black GMC pickup truck that was reported to be the suspect’s vehicle. Police used several resources including a helicopter, K9s and SWAT teams, according to Benedettini.
Prosecutors said the attackers allegedly tortured the victim, drove to his house, and entered the residence.
In the meantime, Sterling Heights police received information that the victim’s truck was traveling on Dearing Drive, in the area of 15 Mile and Dodge Park roads.
According to video from a Sterling Heights police car dashcam, officers located the vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the driver fled through several residential neighborhoods and main roads.
Sterling Heights police Lt. Mario Bastianelli said the pursuit went to 15 Mile and Maple Lane where the vehicle crashed. The suspect fled the vehicle, but was quickly apprehended.
“The 24-year-old victim was found inside of the black GMC, tied up with minor injuries,” Bastianelli said in a news release. “A loaded rifle was also recovered inside of the vehicle.”
The suspect was transported to the Macomb County Jail where he is waiting to be arraigned on the criminal charges.
Police have served several search warrants as the investigation continues, authorities said.
“Thank you to the Shelby Township and Sterling Heights police departments for their diligent investigations,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement. “My office is dedicated to delivering justice for the victim and holding the suspect accountable for his actions.”
Shelby Township is the lead agency investigating the incident. Anyone with information on the other accomplices are asked to call 586-731-2121.
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