(12-8-20) On Tuesday December 8, 2020 at approximately 12:34 AM, Deputy Belden who is assigned to New Buffalo Township patrols observed a black Sport Utility Vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on I-94 near US-12. Deputy Belden was able to confirm the vehicle was traveling 88 mph via the in-car radar. The suspect vehicle failed to stop and continued eastbound on I-94 before exiting at John Beers Road in Lincoln Township. The vehicle failed to stop and headed north on Red Arrow Highway.

Due to the suspect driving erratically and at a high rate of speed the pursuit was terminated. A short time later Deputy Hahn, with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, observed the suspect vehicle turn into a driveway in 3500 Block of Lakeshore Drive south of Hawthorne Ave in St Joseph Township.

The suspect, Darrien Amar Connor from Illinois, fled on foot and left the vehicle on unoccupied. Deputy Grenon and K9 Maxx tracked the suspect behind several houses and into a wooded area finding a boot belonging to the suspect along the way.

The Great Lake Drone Company was called in and assisted officers who were searching for the suspect. Trooper Adams with the Michigan State Police located the suspect in the 2700 Block of West Garden Lane in the Village of Shoreham.

Connor, who is wanted on a felony warrant in Cook County, was arrested without incident and a loaded firearm was found on the passenger seat of the suspect vehicle.

ARRESTED: Darrien Amar Connor, 21 years of age from Illinois

VEHICLE: 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan, Black, with a paper plate out of Illinois. The vehicle was impounded.

CHARGES: Darrien Amar Connor was lodged in the Berrien County Jail on the following charges:

  • Fleeing & Eluding Police
  • Carrying Concealed Weapon
  • Resisting & Obstructing Officer
  • Felony Firearm
  • No Valid Operator’sLicense
  • Improper Registration
  • Fugitive –Warrant out of Cook County Illinios