Mount Clemens, MI - Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced that Michael Dedaj, a 28-year-old Sterling Heights man, was arraigned on a charge of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon after a road rage incident in Utica, MI.
It is alleged that on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, an argument started at the Puff Cannabis Company in Utica, MI between Dedaj, who was driving a red Charger, and another driver and his passenger in a white van. While on a side street, the argument escalated into a road rage incident when Dedaj used his Charger to crash into the victim’s van, twice. In response, the van’s driver, a CPL holder, fired his weapon multiple times, grazing Dedaj.
On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Dedaj was arraigned in the 41A District Court in Shelby Township, MI before Magistrate Jim Verploeg on a charge of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a 4-year felony. This is the maximum charge available under the law based upon the evidence presented to date.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Paul Hunt requested a $50,000 cash/surety bond, Magistrate Verploeg set a $30,000 cash/surety, 10% bond. If released, Dedaj must wear a steel cuff tether, have no contact with the victim or victim’s family, cannot go within two miles of victim’s residence, and no drugs, alcohol or weapons. A Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for Monday, August 11, 2025 at 1 pm and a Preliminary Exam is scheduled for Monday, August 18, 2025 at 9 am, both before Judge Stephen S. Sierawski at the 42-1 District Court in Shelby Township.
“Violent and reckless behavior on our roads puts everyone at risk. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who choose to escalate arguments into criminal acts,” said 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 that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Esther Wolfe, Communications Director
Office: 586-469-5737
Cell: 586-842-4421
Email: esther.wolfe@macombgov.org
