Local News

Chase Leads to Smash-and-Grab Arrests

(New Buffalo, MI) - A police chase toward New Buffalo resulted in the arrests of alleged members of a sizeable smash-and-grab burglary ring.

 

On Wednesday, Berrien County Police said the suspects committed four smash-and-grab burglaries at stores in Galien, Buchanan, and Niles. An officer responding to an alarm at a store in Galien spotted the suspected vehicle pursued on U.S. 12 toward New Buffalo.

 

Police said stop sticks were used 15 minutes later to deflate both driver’s side tires on the fleeing car.

 

The arrests were made during a foot pursuit.

 

Police said the suspects, Lashan Wyatt, 24, of Hammond, and Maleik Johnson, 26, of Chicago, are part of a ring committing smash and grab burglaries at stores in Indiana, Illinois, and southern Wisconsin.

 

Cigarettes, liquor, and money are among the items targeted in the over 150 thefts linked to the ring, police said.

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