Eastpointe police capture suspect in vehicle theft

EASTPOINTE — When Eastpointe police responded to an in-progress call for a stolen vehicle Nov. 9, what followed was a chase that ended in a suspect’s arrest.

Melvin Cooley-Cline IV, 20, of Detroit, has been charged with one count of fleeing and eluding, third degree, a five-year felony; one count of unlawful driving away of an automobile, a five-year felony; one count of carrying a concealed weapon, a five-year felony; one count of resisting and obstructing a police officer, a 93-day misdemeanor; two counts of felony firearm, a two-year mandatory felony; one count of altering ID marks on a firearm, a two-year felony; and one count of driving while license is suspended, a 93-day misdemeanor.

Cooley-Cline allegedly was driving a white 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that had been reported stolen; the vehicle was sighted at around 5:11 a.m. in the area of Rosalind Avenue and Nine Mile Road. An officer with the Eastpointe Police Department then observed the vehicle traveling southbound on Kelly Road and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.

At that point, Cooley-Cline reportedly fled, leading to a pursuit. Another officer joined the chase and followed the suspect as he allegedly drove into a field. There, one of the officers struck the fleeing vehicle, ending the vehicle pursuit. Cooley-Cline then reportedly fled on foot. When police caught up to him and arrested him, they allegedly found him in possession of a firearm, and a second gun in the car.

Cooley-Cllne was arraigned Nov. 13 in Eastpointe’s 38th District Court. He stood mute and the court entered a plea of not guilty for him. The court set his bond at $250,000 cash or surety. He requested a court-appointed attorney who had not been appointed as of press time.

Cooley-Cline is scheduled for a probable cause conference at the court Nov. 21 and a preliminary examination Nov. 28.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office worked with investigators from the Eastpointe Police Department to determine the charges.

"Fleeing from the police not only puts officers and innocent people at risk but also makes things worse for the person doing it. By prosecuting those who choose to run, we send a strong message that we won’t tolerate such dangerous actions in our community. We’re committed to keeping everyone safe, including our police, as they work to protect and serve,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a prepared statement.