(WWJ) A suspect whose escape triggered lockdowns at Ford Motor Co. facilities in Dearborn is now in custody.
According to Garden City Police, the investigation began a little after 9 a.m. Thursday, when officers got a call about an armed robbery at Express Liquor, on Cherryhill Rd.
Police arrived to find the suspect had already fled the scene, driving a white and tan Ford F-150 westbound on Cherryhill, to Ford Rd.
A chase began, with officers pursing the suspect eastbound on Ford into Dearborn Heights, then onto southbound Telegraph Rd.
Dearborn police spotted the vehicle just before the suspect jumped out at Schafer and Mellon, near I-94, abandoning the pickup truck and fleeing on foot
Late in the morning, Dearborn police said they were actively searching for the "armed and dangerous" man in the area of Schaefer Hwy. and I-94 , near the Ford Rouge complex.
"We are asking citizens to avoid the area as we conduct a search of the immediate vicinity," police said.
Ford locked down several of its facilities for a few hours, as a precaution.
"We have locked down all Ford buildings at the Rouge site to keep our workforce safe after Dearborn Police notified us they are searching for an armed and dangerous individual on AK Steel property," Ford said. "The AK Steel property is located inside the gates at the Rouge site, but is not a Ford facility."
A little before 2 p.m., Ford said it had lifted all lockdowns and resumed normal operations at the Rouge site.
There were no reports of any shots fired or any injuries.
In a statement, the UAW said no auto workers in the area were harmed. "At this time, it is our understanding that no shots have been fired and our employees at both AK Steel and Ford in the Rouge Complex are safe and in lockdown. We want to emphasize that this is an active situation that the Dearborn Police are handling," the UAW said. "At this point, it appears to not be workplace related. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dearborn Police and all who are on lockdown during this situation."
Late Thursday afternoon, police were concentrating their search along Greenfield Road at I-94.
A little after 5 p.m., police said the suspect was found hiding in tall grass near the Ford Rouge complex, and was arrested without incident.
"Great work by all involved," Michigan State Police said.
No further details about the arrest or the suspect were immediately released. Charges are pending.
