By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – Police detectives are reviewing surveillance video footage to track down a motorcyclist who fled from police officers June 26 at speeds exceeding 100 mph, Deputy Police Chief Archie Hamilton said.
“We are in the process of reviewing surveillance video of the suspect prior to and after the pursuit,” Hamilton said. “In addition, we have received a credible tip from a member of the public regarding his identity, and I am confident that we will have criminal charges on this individual in the near future.”
The motorcyclist was first spotted near Fort and Orchard streets, where the driver, who was on a black and red motorcycle, did a “burn out” while stopped at an intersection, creating smoke by spinning the motorcycle’s wheels while keeping the bike stationary, which is done by putting the bike in first gear while releasing the clutch.
The cyclist then popped a wheelie, raising the front tire off the pavement as he drove north on Fort Street.
The police officer pursued, activating the siren to initiate a traffic stop. However, the cyclist, who wore a black helmet with a mirrored and green-shaded visor, glanced back at the police officer before accelerating to flee.
The motorcyclist entered a turnaround, nearly losing control, then drove south on Fort. The driver then entered another turnaround, narrowly avoided crashing the bike, and then headed north on Fort at 80 mph.
The police officer saw the motorcyclist passing other vehicles by using the road’s shoulder. The cyclist also ran a red light at Oak Street. At Northline, the cyclist made an illegal U-turn, which put them back in the southbound lanes of Fort Street, where their speed increased to exceed 80 mph.
At Vinewood, the driver once again recklessly entered a turnaround, where they narrowly avoided crashing into a vehicle, and then they headed north on Fort Street once more, reaching speeds as high as 100 mph.
The pursuit was terminated out of concern for public safety in the area of Fort Street and Goddard.
Anyone with information about the motorcyclist is encouraged to call the Wyandotte Police Department at 734-324-4431.