DETROIT (WWJ) – A man accused of hitting and killing another man with his car outside of a Detroit strip club last month has been arrested after a police chase.
Police officials say the suspect intentionally hit 30-year-old Lamar Waller with his car in a parking lot outside of the club on 8 Mile Road on July 12. Authorities say the incident escalated to violence after an argument.
Waller was taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, according to police.
Officials say a Crime Stoppers tip led police to a suspect, whose name has not been released, pending review from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
Detroit police spotted the suspect in a car driving on 8 Mile around 3 p.m. Monday and asked Southfield police to respond to the area, near Greenfield Road.
When officers tried to pull them over, with a 35-year-old woman driving a black 2016 Lincoln MKZ, the car sped away. Officers eventually executed a PIT maneuver and brought the car to a stop in a parking lot.
That’s when the suspect climbed over the driver and ran away. The man ran into a CVS pharmacy, where he was arrested.
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Officials say the suspect will be facing charges in Detroit for the homicide and will be charged with resisting and obstructing police in Southfield.
The woman driving the car will also be charged with fleeing and eluding police.
Speaking during a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Detroit Police Cmdr. Michael McGinnis said police were “very fortunate” to receive a Crime Stoppers tip from the community.
“That Crime Stoppers tip led our detectives, who worked just incredibly hard,” McGinnis said. “I can’t express enough that these detectives, they take these cases home with them. So when they’re off-duty, at home eating dinner or going to bed, they’re thinking of what else they might be able to do on this case to help the families and their healing.”
The victim’s wife, Bianca Waller, spoke during Wednesday’s press conference, and said he was “a protector.”
“He was a strong, strong man, and I just hope to continue to carry his strength on, not only for myself, but for my kids,” she said.
“I appreciate you guys for all the work that y’all have done,” she said to police.
Detroit Police Chief James White highlighted the case as an example that tips to Crime Stoppers actually help police.
“Oh, it really is a real thing,” White said of Crime Stoppers and tips from the community. “We rely heavily on our community. We can’t do the work that we all do and our collaboration without our community partners.”