OTTAWA COUNTY, Michigan — An Allendale Township man who was in the passenger's seat during a police chase, multiple crashes and a standoff inside an Ottawa County fire station was arraigned in court Friday.
Benjamin Levi King, 18, is facing three counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer. He was arraigned Friday in the 58th District Court. His bond was set at $10,000, and King remains in the Ottawa County Jail.
The early morning car chase Thursday turned into a standoff at an Ottawa County fire station. That vehicle rammed into the Blendon Township Fire Station on Tyler Street, breaking through the garage doors.
The car's 22-year-old driver and her 18-year-old passenger refused to get out of the vehicle, as law enforcement called for them to exit.
In the pursuit, the car hit a police cruiser. One deputy went to the hospital to be checked but was not seriously injured.
The suspects were awake and conscious throughout the standoff, and crisis negotiators attempted to get them out of the car by speaking to them on the phone and in person. Capt. Jake Sparks says there was not much rational conversation with the suspects.
Deputies could be heard yelling "come out with your hands in the air!" and "step out of the vehicle, and you will not be harmed!" throughout the more than three-hour-long standoff.
Around 8:20 a.m., the car reversed suddenly and slammed into another police cruiser. It was the same cruiser hit earlier in the morning.
Shots were heard at the scene. It was later confirmed deputies fired less-than-lethal shots to subdue the suspects. Deputies then arrested the two suspects, who were still uncooperative.
The suspects were taken to a hospital to be checked. That's where the 22-year-old driver remains to receive mental health treatment.
A police cruiser and a fire apparatus were damaged during the incident.
Authorities indicated they will seek criminal charges against the driver in the future.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.