DETROIT – Detroit police are searching for a man who they say fled police after being handcuffed.
Police said the man, identified as Artese Deshaun Davis, 23, was pulled over for speeding at Vaughan Street and Joy Road at about 11:15 a.m. Police said he was wanted for probation violation for a home invasion in Oakland County.
UPDATE: Detroit police capture handcuffed man who fled custody
He was handcuffed but got away, police said. Davis is believed to be in the area of Evergreen Road and Vaughan Street, and Joy Road and Dover.
Davis and the officer did not struggle, Detroit police said. The 23-year-old was handcuffed when he broke free and ran across Joy Road. Police said he then went down some alleys and was able to get away.
A witness was stunned to see a man in handcuffs escape police custody.
"When they had him in cuffs, I was like, 'OK, they got him. He's going to jail,' but all of a sudden, he took off running," the witness said. "By the time he made it halfway across Joy Road, they were just getting to Joy Road, and he was halfway."
Several police officers started running after Davis, who was still handcuffed.
"There were four cops chasing. One cop jumped in the car and followed behind him. Next thing you know, five or six more cars, and they still didn't catch him," the witness said.
"When he got to the back of the scout car, he broke loose from the officer who had him control of him and took off," Capt. Ken Balinski said.
"Tell Detroit police they need to step their game up, 'cause if you let a guy run away from you with handcuffs on, Jesus Christ, what are you going to do with a guy with no handcuffs on?" the witness said.
Detroit police believe Davis is still handcuffed unless someone helped him. They said he doesn't live in the area and was likely visiting friends.
Davis, 23, is described as black, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 160 pounds. He was wearing a black Wayne State University Under Armour long-sleeve shirt, dark blue jeans and light blue Nike shoes.
His car has been impounded. The DPD is still on the hunt and urging Davis to turn himself in.
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