PONTIAC (WWJ) - A 25-year-old man is facing multiple charges in connection with an alleged crime spree — including armed assaults, attempted robberies and carjackings through the city of Pontiac.
Mark Jerome Hoover, who authorities say has no prior criminal record, was arrested at around 7:30 p.m. last Friday following at least 10 incidents in a 90-minute span, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
Hoover, a Pontiac resident, was scheduled to be arraigned in 50th District Court on Tuesday.
Announcing the case on Monday, officials released the following details of Hoover's alleged crimes (All information comes from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and is only alleged at this time):
• Hoover began his alleged crime spree at 5:33 p.m. with encountering a neighbor in the 300 block of Ferry Avenue. He attempted to take a purse from the neighbor but was unsuccessful and ran back to his residence across the street. Deputies were called to this incident and Hoover escaped out of a back window and fled on foot.
• In the 400 block of S. Jessie, Hoover approached some kids who were sitting in a car in a driveway. Hoover jumped in the car and pointed a handgun at the kids and demanded the keys. He was unsuccessful in obtaining the keys and fled on foot.
• At the intersection of Osmun and Sanford, Hoover approached a woman in her car sitting on the street. Hoover pointed a handgun at her and demanded she stop her vehicle. The woman accelerated at Hoover and struck him. Hoover was able to recover and ran away again.
• In the 200 block of Willard Street, Hoover approached a female sitting in her car in her driveway. He opened the driver-side door, pointed a handgun at her, and demanded she get out. The victim began to kick Hoover, yelled, and honked her horn. Hoover fled on foot.
• Hoover proceeded to the 300 block of Whittemore Street, where he approached a female victim and her granddaughter as they pulled into their driveway. The victim got out of her vehicle and Hoover pointed a handgun at her demanding her keys. She gave Hoover the keys and her purse. Hoover went into the car and could not start the vehicle. He left the car, threw the purse, and ran away.
• In the 90 block of S. Jessie, a vehicle was running unoccupied in the driveway. Hoover drove off in this vehicle and left the car on the side of the road shortly after.
• In the 200 block of Norton Avenue, Hoover forced his way into a residence, pointed a handgun at the homeowner, and threatened to kill him. The victim physically fought with Hoover. Hoover left the residence after taking the homeowner’s cell phone.
• Hoover proceeded to the 40 block of Matthews Street where there was a vehicle running occupied with two adults and four children under the age of seven. Hoover approached the car, threatened the driver with a handgun and demanded they exit the vehicle. He used the handgun to hit the driver over the head. The driver was able to accelerate and drove away.
• On Cass Avenue, Hoover approached an Amazon delivery truck, forced his way in the vehicle, and threatened the driver with a handgun. He then drove off with the victim still in the truck. Hoover threatened the victim, continued to point the handgun at her, and stated he was going to rape her. The victim opened the passenger door to jump out, but her foot became stuck. Hoover dragged the victim for approximately 20 yards until the victim’s foot became dislodged. He crashed the truck and left it on the side of the road. The Amazon driver was treated and released from a local hospital.
• In the 100 block of Gladstone, Hoover approached a running vehicle occupied by three adult males. Hoover pointed a handgun at two of the males demanding they exit the vehicle and kept one male with him demanding he drive away with Hoover. Hoover continued to threaten the driver with a handgun. At this time, Deputies were able to pursue the vehicle and utilized a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT), which stopped the vehicle. Hoover fled on foot. Deputies chased and captured Hoover, recovering the handgun he dropped while running. He was taken into custody at 7:03 p.m.
The sheriff's office said the handgun used in the alleged crimes was loaded 9mm Ruger semi-automatic that was registered to Hoover. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft Unit is handling the ongoing investigation.