Suspect pursuit on I-75 ended in Findlay
MONROE, Mich.--On September 2, 2023 at approximately 3:37 p.m., Officers of the Monroe Police Department responded to the Highlander Market, 1000 block of E. Front St., on report of a subject who had been shot. Central Dispatch further advised that the offenders in this case, fled the scene in a Blue Ford F-150. Upon officers arrival, they discovered a 34-year-old male victim and a 31-year-old male victim, who both had been shot. Monroe Fire Department, along with Monroe Community Ambulance arrived on-scene, ultimately transporting the 34-year-old victim to an area hospital for life-threatening injuries. Sadly, the 31-year-old victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Officers and detectives on scene learned that the two offenders entered the Highlander Market, presented a weapon and robbed the business for an undisclosed amount of money. Upon exiting the market, the offenders ordered the occupants of the blue Ford F-150, parked in front of the market, to get out of their vehicle, firing a shot at a witness standing near the truck. That witness was not struck and was uninjured. The occupants of the truck exited the vehicle, at which time, the offenders targeted both victims, shooting them both.
With information and evidence collected at the scene, photographs of the offenders, along with a photograph of the truck, were posted with a request for citizens to help identify these criminals. Citizen responses lead to the identification of both offenders and this information was broadcasted to neighboring police agencies and jurisdictions.
The 31-year-old victim was identified as Michael Ronald Beck, Jr. of Monroe, MI. Officers, along with MPD Chaplain Services notified Mr. Beck’s next of kin, offering condolences and comfort to the family during this difficult time. The 34-year-old victim’s identity is not being released at this time, as this is an active investigation.
At approximately 7:40 p.m., the Ohio State Highway Patrol, along with Sheriff Deputies of the Wood County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle in connection with this Homicide, Armed Robbery and Car-Jacking described above.
In a statement released by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the vehicle was located at a rest area near Bowling Green. As troopers and deputies approached the vehicle, the suspects fled the scene traveling southbound on Interstate 75. Troopers initiated a traffic stop; however, the vehicle did not stop and a pursuit ensued.
The suspects shot at the pursuing officers multiple times during the pursuit and troopers returned fire. The pursuit continued southbound on I-75 into Hancock County and exited onto state Route 15. As the suspect vehicle was approaching Township Road 240, it then went off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch.
Once the vehicle came to a stop, troopers began issuing verbal orders. Initially, the suspects refused to comply with troopers’ orders to exit the vehicle. After some time, the suspect driver, identified as a 29-year-old male from Monroe, MI., was flown to an area hospital for serious injuries. The Patrol’s Special Response Team arrived on scene and was able to take the passenger into custody, who was identified as a 44-year-old male from Ann Arbor, MI. The 44-year-old suspect was transported to an area hospital for precautionary reasons and later lodged in the Hancock County Jail.
No officers involved were physically injured as a result of the incident. The incident is still under investigation and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was requested to investigate the officer-involved shooting.
The identities of the suspects in this case are being withheld in Michigan, until legal processes and court arraignment can occur.
The Monroe Police Department would like to thank the following agencies and first responders for their valuable efforts and assistance with this horrific situation:
- Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
- Michigan State Police
- Ohio State Highway Patrol
- Wood County Sheriff’s Office
