Driver arrested after leading multiple agencies on high speed pursuit

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- A man who displayed a toy gun at deputies was arrested following a high speed pursuit on I-94 Friday morning, according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 9 a.m., Watervliet Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Ford Escape for reckless driving on M140  near Lane Drive, but the driver did not stop, reports said.

The driver headed westbound on I-94 through Watervliet, Coloma and Benton, then turned around at Pipestone Road and headed eastbound on I-94, deputies said. The suspect vehicle and police vehicles drove approximately 100 mph during the pursuit, deputies said.

While fleeing, the suspect, later identified as a 19-year-old man from Hartford, pointed a handgun at two Berrien County Sheriff’s deputies who were assisting in the pursuit, reports said.

Coloma Police deployed tire deflation devices on I-94 eastbound near Highland Avenue.

The suspect pulled over after his front tire deflated and threw the handgun to the ground and surrendered, deputies said.

Deputies said the handgun was actually a realistic looking toy gun.

The suspect is facing one count of fleeing and eluding and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.