On July 14th, 2022, at approximately 11:23 p.m., a resident of Boston Township in Ionia County was alerted by his security camera that there was a vehicle parked behind his residence. The homeowner was at work at the time and contacted Ionia County Central Dispatch.

 

A deputy with the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call and upon arrival at the residence a black Dodge Durango fled from the rear of the home. The deputy was able to pursue but lost sight of the vehicle. He later found the Durango unoccupied and crashed into a swamp. The Deputy learned that the
vehicle was stolen out of Battle Creek and had stolen property inside. a firearm was also located at the crash scene.

 

The Sheriff’s Office deployed their K-9 unit and requested assistance from the Kent
County Sheriff’s Office who sent a drone team to assist in the search.  K-9 "Bafi" was able to track to an address in Campbell Twp approximately 3 ½ miles from the crash scene where the suspect was discovered hiding under a truck in a garage.

 

The suspect fled again, but was quickly apprehended. He was later identified as Michael David Hancock, 45 from Hastings. Hancock was lodged at the Ionia County Jail and was arraigned on July 15th on 14 criminal offenses including:

 

Home invasion, breaking and entering a building, receiving and concealing stolen
property, fleeing and eluding, resist and obstruct, possession of a hallucinogen, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

 

Assisting the Sheriff’s Office were Ionia County Central Dispatch, Michigan State Police, Kent County Sheriff’s Office, Barry County Sheriff’s Office, and Reed & Hoppes Towing.

 

Hancock is being held at the Ionia County Jail on a $150,000 cash or surety bond.