Saturday, August 8, 2009

Gordon Wilczynski

Macomb Daily Staff Writer

He was careful to use his turn signal during high-speed chase

A Detroit man wanted by Eastpointe police for stealing a purse from a female shopper was arrested on Thursday evening after a high speed chase in which he tried to flee from his moving car but failed when his foot got stuck in his seat belt.

"This is a first," Eastpointe Detective Lt. Leo Borowsky said. "The suspect was captured by his own seat belt and broke his leg while trying to escape."

Borowsky said Lawrence Neal, 45, of Flanders Street, was kept in a hospital overnight and transferred to jail Friday morning. He was charged with unarmed robbery, fleeing police and resisting a police officer. He is being held in the Macomb County Jail on $200,000 bond set by 38th District Judge Carl Gerds, who scheduled a preliminary examination for 8 a.m. Aug. 19. Neal asked for a court-appointed attorney, police said.

Borowsky said Officer Bob Koenigsmann was on routine patrol at 9:15 p.m. Thursday on Nine Mile near Piper Street when he saw Neal walking between Joe's Keg and Wine party store and the Quarter Car Wash next door. Koenigsmann thought the man looked suspicious so he watched him from his marked scout car a short distance away.

Borowsky said Koenigsmann said he saw the victim drive into the parking lot and walk toward the business. When the woman got out of her car, Neal approached her quickly on foot and Koenigsmann witnessed a struggle. He then saw Neal run to a car that was parked in the Car Wash lot, Borowsky said. Koenigsmann chased Neal, who was driving an Eagle Vision, because he suspected him of robbing the woman.

They fled across Eight Mile into Detroit and Neal drove through several red traffic signals. Neal was on Eastburn approaching Hayes when he opened the driver's door and attempted to jump out.

"His foot got caught in the seat belt and the left side of Neal's body dangled outside of the car," Borowsky said. "He was dragged by his own car for several feet before the car stopped on a front yard."

"Koenigsmann and officers Chris Rhodea and Cpl. Tom Ostrowski arrested Neal after a brief struggle," Borowsky said. "This is a great example where modern-day technology cannot replace good old-fashioned police work."

Police said when Neal fled he put on his seat belt and used his turn signal every time he prepared to turn.

Police said the victim suffered only minor injuries when she was knocked to the ground and her purse taken from around her neck.

Neal has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 1986, Borowsky said