The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office reports no one was seriously injured after a suspect crashed his vehicle trying to run from police early Sunday morning.
Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit confirms the chase took place Sunday morning and started in Van Buren County just before 6:00 AM. That’s when 36-year-old Matthew Lee Mensch of Indiana refused to stop for police during an attempted traffic stop.
According to police, Mensch refused to stop and the chase crossed over into Berrien County. Law enforcement used spike strips to try to disable Mensch’s vehicle. While that tactic did take out two of the suspect’s tires, the chase continued on Red Arrow Highway through Stevensville and Bridgman reaching speeds in excess of 80 miles an hour, finally coming to a stop after a second set of spike strips were deployed. The suspect crashed and police were able to make an arrest.
Mensch reportedly suffered minor facial abrasions as a result of the crash and was treated and released from Corewell Health South in St. Joseph.
Mensch is currently at the Berrien County Jail awaiting arraignment. He is chared with Fleeing/Eluding Police, three counts of resisting an officer, damage to police equipment, and operating under the influence.
