Video shows veteran arrested after police chase in stolen car

A Michigan State Police dashcam video obtained through the Freedom of Information Act shows a police chase and the arrest of a man after he was removed from his car.

As reported by MLive, events began when a 911 call was made by a woman who claimed that her son had PTSD and was both intoxicated and suicidal, according to Lieutenant David Kaiser of the Michigan State Police.

The call alerted police to begin looking for Michael Siminski, a Marine veteran from Owosso, a small town in central Michigan.

An off duty police officer saw Siminski’s vehicle near the intersection of Lansing and Grand River roads on Friday morning. The officer then contacted dispatchers and reported that a man was holding a woman at knifepoint.

The officer shot the man in the leg. The woman then freed herself, but the man then escaped in the woman’s car.

Video footage from a Michigan State Police cruiser shows the chase.

The chase itself lasted for several minutes before the man swerved into the path of an oncoming vehicle and crashed.

The woman driving the other vehicle sustained serious injuries in the crash.

Siminski was then treated for injuries to his ribs and a gunshot wound; he was released into police custody.

Detective Sgt. Mark Pendergraff with the Michigan State Police said that the actions of the police were appropriate because they thought that the man had a knife. Siminski had no weapon in the car.

Pendergraff also stated, “We did what we needed to do in a situation where a suspect is armed with a weapon.”

Siminski was arraigned on March 9 on a dozen charges. Siminski’s attorney, Michael Manley, said that the incident was a tragic display of what happens to veterans who are suffering from PTSD.

Manley added, “This is a tragedy for all involved, innocent victims and a decorated combat Marine who heroically served his country in battle.” Manley also stated, “Unfortunately, this case is another example of the after-effects of war and the terrible condition of post traumatic stress disorder. We are awaiting the results of psychological evaluations and hope to sit down with the prosecutor to reach a resolution that is just and fair for all involved.”

A GoFundMe account was created in order to pay for legal expenses and provide support for Siminski’s wife and children.