CLINTON TWP (WWJ) A Clinton Township man—accused in a days-long crime spree that ended with a wrong-way crash on I-94 in Detroit— was arraigned on home invasion, multiple counts of delivering and manufacturing a controlled substance, and a litany of additional felonies.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido charged Joel Masching, 53, of Clinton Township with eight felonies and one misdemeanor. The charge of delivering and manufacturing a controlled substance carries up to 20 years behind bars.
Prosecutors told WWJ that Masching assaulted a woman twice on January 11th. The second assault allegedly happened after he broke into her home.
Masching fled the scene before police arrived, prosecutors said.
The woman phoned police five days later (January 16) and reported Masching was “calling her repeatedly” and driving across her lawn, according to a press release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to prosecutors; Warren Police caught up with him at 10 Mile and Schoenherr, and attempted a traffic stop with their emergency lights and sirens activated. After the suspect fled, officers initiated a “high-speed pursuit.”
Officers discontinued the pursuit at 9 Mile and I-94.
Two days later, police found Masching at 11 Mile and Schaefer. Officers in marked vehicles tried to “box his vehicle in.” He allegedly backed into a police vehicle and “accelerated forward”—toward an officer standing outside of his patrol car. The officer had to jump out of the way to avoid Masching’s vehicle hitting him, prosecutors said.
The chase led officers through Warren and into Detroit—as Masching allegedly blew through multiple traffic signals.
Masching drove the wrong-way on Conner Avenue and entered the eastbound I-94 exit ramp, where he crashed into several vehicles exiting the freeway, according to prosecutors.
Upon searching his vehicle; officers uncovered crack cocaine, Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, Ecstasy, Alprazolam, psychedelic mushrooms, along with scales and vials “consistent with drug distribution,” prosecutors said.
Officers executed multiple search warrants—and discovered additional controlled substances at his Clinton Township home, and at the Cornerstone Brick, a masonry contractor in Fraser.
Masching was arraigned at 37th District Court in Warren on Tuesday, January 20th, on the following charges:
1. Controlled Substance – Delivery/manufacture – Methamphetamine/ecstasy, a 20-year felony
2. Controlled Substance – Delivery/manufacture – Methamphetamine, a 20-year felony
3. Controlled Substance – Delivery/manufacture – (Cocaine, Heroin or other Narcotic) Less than 50 Grams, a 20-year felony
4. Controlled Substance Delivery/manufacture – (Cocaine, Heroin or other Narcotic) Less than 50 Grams, a 20-year felony
5. Home Invasion – 2nd Degree, a 15-year felony
6. Police Officer – Fleeing - Third Degree – Vehicle Code, a 5-year felony
7. Police Officer – Fleeing - Fourth Degree – Vehicle Code, a 2-year felony
8.Police Officer – Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing, a 2-year felony
9. Domestic Violence – Second Offense Notice, a 1-year misdemeanor
10. Habitual Offender, 2nd Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor
Prosecutors said additional charges may be coming.
The judge issued him a $200,000 cash/surety bond. If posted; he will be forced to wear a steel cuff GPS tether, stay away from drugs and alcohol, and have no contact with the victim.
He is due back in court on February 3rd.
“The conduct alleged in this case reflects an adult who was completely out of control and making reckless decisions that put a victim, law enforcement, and the public at risk,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said. “The allegations suggest volatile and dangerous behavior and a profound disregard for the safety of others and the rule of law. Outrageous actions that threaten our community will not be tolerated in Macomb County, and my office will work to ensure accountability.”