A man was taken into custody late Friday after allegedly driving through a police barricade during the continuing standoff in Ypsilanti Township.
A woman called police at 7:30 p.m. on August 28 after her boyfriend allegedly attempted to shoot her, according to a Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office release.
Police set up a safety perimeter around the Village Grove apartment complex, which is located in the 1100 block of Harris Road, after learning that the 38-year-old man may be inside with two small children. The county’s Crisis Negotiation Team was sent to the scene.
Around 9:40 p.m., while the barricade scenario was still unfolding, a car drove past the safety perimeter at high speed, defying police vehicles, warning tape, and deputies’ orders to stop, according to police.
Police say they were able to halt the car using a tire deflation device. The man then exited the car but would not obey deputy directions, according to police. Police said he was quickly arrested.
Police reported that the driver seemed to be inebriated and had children in the vehicle.
Local officials, including Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer, expressed worry after seeing video of the driver’s arrest. A video circulating online purported to show the man striking his head on a curb while being apprehended.
“While we are doing a full review, I’ll just say upon hearing audio that the language used does not align with our mission or values nor is it representative of the high standard we at the Sheriff’s Office set,” Dyer said in a message on social media.
Moesha Peterson, 30, who lives in Ypsilanti, expressed concern for the children who would have witnessed the man’s detention.
“You never know what kind of trauma you can put in the kids’ head,” she replied.
She questioned why he was pushed to the ground.
Dyer confirmed the man’s safety, stating that there had been rumors of his death.
Mayor Nicole Brown of Ypsilanti stated in her own article that the background “provides a much fuller picture of an incredibly serious and potentially dangerous situation.”
“What people saw understandably raised questions, and I believe it was appropriate to ask those questions and seek clarity,” Brown said, adding that the incident did not take place in the city.
The youngsters involved in both incidences were located safe and returned to their families, authorities said, adding that no one was wounded.
It is unknown whether the individual who allegedly barricaded himself is in custody, though eyewitness Michael Godsey reported seeing police enter the building shortly after midnight. On Saturday, August 29, police were unable to confirm whether the individual had been arrested.
“As soon as they went up the stairs, everybody was just kind of milling around,” Godsey replied.
They had previously been “hollering a lot” at the man outside, he claimed.
Police stated the site had already been removed. The barricade incident is still under investigation.
The sheriff’s office will undertake a “full review” of the driver’s arrest, Dyer stated.
“Conduct that does not reflect our values or the trust we work hard to build every day will be addressed appropriately and is not tolerated,” she stated.
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