DETROIT (WWJ) – Thanks to the help of a license plate reader on the Southfield Freeway, two men are in custody after one of them allegedly pointed a gun at a driver Thursday morning.
Michigan State Police troopers were called to a Metro Detroit hospital around 8:30 Thursday for a nurse who said she had a gun pointed at her on southbound M-39 near McNichols.
The woman told police she was in the left lane behind a black, older model Cadillac Escalade. After the SUV moved to the center lane, she passed it on the left. She told police as she passed, she saw the driver point a rifle out the driver’s side window at her.
She then sped away from the suspect’s vehicle, who later exited the freeway, MSP officials said.
While the woman was unable to provide a registration plate for the suspect vehicle, MSP officials said the investigating trooper searched the license plate reader system and located a Cadillac Escalade which matched the description the victim provided during the time frame of the alleged incident.
Dozens of license plate readers were installed along the Southfield and I-96 earlier this year as part of a pilot program. Officials said the readers would be used for incidents such as this, and can’t be utilized for speeding, traffic offenses or other purposes. Similar devices were installed in Macomb County last year.
After officials identified the suspect vehicle Thursday, a surveillance team was called in to assist. Through “investigative resources,” the surveillance team was able to locate and follow the suspect’s Escalade to an address in Detroit.
The surveillance team then followed it to another address in Detroit. After the SUV left that location, authorities conducted a traffic stop and arrested two suspects from Detroit without incident.
During the arrest authorities found an AR pistol and a handgun on or near the suspects in the vehicle, according to MSP.
Both men were being interviewed by detectives Thursday evening, MSP officials said.
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