FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dawn Fraylick
Office: +1 (586) 469-5737
Email: Dawn.Fraylick@macombgov.org
March 19, 2025
New Baltimore Man Arraigned for Fleeing Police and Pointing Gun at Officers
Mount Clemens, MI - A 31-year-old New Baltimore man was arraigned in connection with fleeing police.
It is alleged that on Sunday, March 16, 2025, Michael Robert Southworth smashed the windshield out of a Cadillac in Shelby Township and fled in a white Jeep Cherokee. A police officer attempted a traffic stop on Southworth. Southworth continued to flee north on M-53. Another officer joined the chase. Southworth lost control of his vehicle near 35 Mile Road and stopped in a field. Southworth ignored the officer's commands and exited his vehicle with a long gun. He continued to ignore the officer’s commands and pointed his gun at one of the officers. Officers responded and shot Southworth in the right leg. Officers took Southworth into custody and treated him at the scene. He was transported to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.
Southworth was charged with the following:
Count 1: Fleeing Police in the Third Degree, a five-year felony
Count 2: Felony Firearm, a two-year mandatory felony
Count 3: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, a four-year felony
Count 4: Felony Firearm, a two-year mandatory felony
Count 5: Assaulting / Resisting / Obstructing a Police Office, a two-year felony
Count 6: Felony Firearm, a two-year mandatory felony
Count 7: Possession of a Loaded Firearm in a Vehicle, a two-year high court misdemeanor
Count 8: Malicious Destruction of Property of $200 or more but less than $1,000, a one-year misdemeanor
He is also charged as a habitual second offender.
Today, Southworth was arraigned in 41-A Shelby District Court, where Magistrate James VerPloeg set bond at $1,000,000 cash/surety only. If released, the defendant must wear a steel cuff GPS tether, and may not purchase or possess any firearms, dangerous weapons, or ammunition. A Probable Cause Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 1:00 pm, and a Preliminary Exam is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 9:00 am by District Court Judge Stephen Sierawski.
"This individual’s decision to flee from law enforcement was reckless and put countless lives in danger. Our officers work tirelessly to keep our community safe, and evading police only escalates situations unnecessarily. We will hold those who break the law accountable to ensure public safety remains our top priority," said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s office represents the People. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All those accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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