Michigan: Man who struck cruiser, fled police had marijuana and cash in car

A man who struck a Kent County sheriff's cruiser while fleeing a deputy had a large amount of marijuana and cash in his vehicle, court records show.

The man, identified as 52-year-old Richard Michael Johnson, was arraigned Tuesday, July 7, in Kent County District Court on charges of fleeing a police officer, delivery of marijuana and resisting and obstructing a police officer.

A Kent County sheriff's deputy made a traffic stop just after midnight Tuesday on a vehicle that did not stop fully before pulling out of the Arby's lot at 531 68th St. SW.

In a court affidavit, the deputy described how he could smell marijuana in the vehicle. The driver, Johnson, then admitted he had marijuana in his pocket but claimed to have a medical marijuana card.

The deputy, Scott Dietrich, then asked to do sobriety tests on the driver and received consent.

It was then, however, that Dietrich patted down Johnson and found a second baggie of marijuana and large sum of cash.

When Dietrich told Johnson he was being detained, he tried to run. The deputy threw Johnson to the ground but he got up and made it to his vehicle.

Police said Johnson backed up and slammed into the deputy's front bumper. Dietrich pulled out his Taser and deployed it, apparently through Johnson's open car window, but it did not immobilize Johnson.

A high speed chase then ensued, with speeds of more than 110 mph, police said.

Johnson stopped the vehicle near Burton Street SE and Horton Avenue and was arrested. Police said they found a large amount of marijuana, marijuana butter, scales and cash in the vehicle

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