Driver arrested after leading deputies on hour long pursuit

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- A driver and his passenger were arrested following an hour long pursuit through Berrien County that reached speeds of up to 100 mph, according to the Berrien County Sheriff's Office.

Zachary Dawson Thain, 22, has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing a police officer.

Around 3 a.m. Wednesday, a deputy spotted a black 1998 Dodge Ram traveling in the area of Pucker and Pokagon streets.

The deputies noted the vehicle matched the description of a vehicle that fled from officers from Bridgman and Niles several hours earlier during an investigation into thefts from vehicles.

Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle but the driver failed to stop. He led deputies on an hour-long pursuit through Berrien Township, Niles Township, Buchanan Township, Buchanan, Lake Township, Chikaming Township and Weesaw, deputies said.

The pursuit exceeded posted speed limits and at times reached speeds of 100 mph, deputies said.

At one point during the pursuit, the driver attempted to hit a Bridgman Police officer who was deploying stop sticks near Cleveland and Brownstown, deputies said. The officer had to jump over a guard rail to avoid being struck.

At 4 a.m., the vehicle drove into a field off Minich Road and the driver and the girl ran from the scene.

The 16-year-old was taken into custody by deputies on a J-5 pickup order.

The driver, Thain, was apprehended with the assistance of K-9 Blek.