Date and Time of Incident: 9/24/2024 at approximately 4:49 a.m.

  • Type of Incident: Police pursuit ending in traffic crash. Incident #24-22314.
  • Location of Incident: The incident began on US-12 near Weaver Rd. in the Township of Bertrand, County of Berrien. The suspect vehicle crashed in the 300 block of Lincoln Ave. in the City of Niles.
  • Agencies Involved: Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Patrol, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Niles Township
  • Patrol, Niles Police Department, Niles Fire Department, SMCAS Ambulance, Niles Township Fire Department, Buchanan City Fire Department, Howard Township Fire Department, Berrien County Public Safety Dispatch Center, Millin Towing.
  • Arrested Persons: The driver of the suspect vehicle is in custody on preliminary charges of fleeing and eluding and possession of a stolen vehicle. The identity of the driver is being withheld pending arraignment.

Narrative: Berrien County Sheriff’s Office


On 9/24/2024 at approximately 4:49 am a Berrien County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on patrol in Bertrand Township, Berrien County along US-12 when he observed a vehicle driving at an excessive speed. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the dark colored SUV for the aforementioned traffic violation. The suspect vehicle then fled from the attempted traffic stop and the deputy gave chase engaging in a brief vehicular pursuit. The pursuit ended when the suspect vehicle lost control attempting to negotiate a curve and crashed into a commercial building in the 300 block of Lincoln Ave. in the City of Niles. The suspect was the sole occupant of the vehicle he was driving and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was taken into custody without incident at the scene of the crash.

The suspect vehicle came to rest inside the building which then ignited a structure fire causing extensive damage to the building and the vehicle. The driver is currently being held on preliminary charges of fleeing and eluding and possession of a stolen vehicle. The identity of the driver is being withheld pending arraignment.