SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) -- New information has been released about a police chase from Southfield to Detroit, as investigators now say the suspects may be involved with human trafficking.
WWJ's Darrylin Horne reports police are still looking for two women who are the alleged victims in this case.
According to Southfield Police, the investigation began Sunday, when a woman called police two report alleged sex trafficking by at Red Roof Inn on Northwestern Highway. The witness said she saw two women walking into the hotel with 48-year-old Ricky Edwards, Jr., who was wanted by police. The witness told police one of the women had a black eye and was being held against her will by Edwards, whom she described as "basically like a drug dealer and a pimp."
On Monday, when officers spotted Edwards as he left the hotel and got into a car at 12 Mile Rd. and Northwestern. Edwards was a passenger in the car, along with the two women, police said, and a man identified as 60-year-old Paul Alan Dave was behind the wheel.
When officers tried to make a traffic stop, police said Dave fled, heading south on Northwestern, along M-10 into Detroit.
A high-speed chase ensued that ended when Dave ran a red light at Outer Drive and James Couzens, crashing into an Uber.
All four people in the car were taken to a hospital for treatment, along with the Uber driver and his passenger, a woman who was ejected from the Uber.
On Thursday, the Southfield PD released dash cam video of the pursuit, which reached speeds as high as 120 mph.
Southfield Chief of Police Elvin Barren said his department is now searching for the two women, who haven't been seen since they were treated and released from the hospital.
Edwards was wanted for absconding on second degree murder and narcotics charges, Barren said. He remains held on a parole violation and will be turned over to the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Dave is charged with fleeing and eluding police, and is expected to face additional charges out of Detroit.
As for the potential human trafficking case, Barren said his detectives need to find the two women.
"We do know who the women are; we know who they are, what cities they're from," Barren told Horne and other reporters on Thursday. "We are looking to interview them, and then maybe additional charges (against the men involved) later."
"Right now I do know that they're obviously afraid, but that's why I want to assure them that you're not in any trouble. We understand what human trafficking is," the chief said, urging them to come forward.
"You're not facing any charges," Barren stressed. "You are a victim of human trafficking, and/or have been forced into a life of a sex worker. However, we can provide resources to assist you. Both men are in custody, and you are free from their control."
