DETROIT – A 62-year-old man is facing more than a dozen charges after a string of crimes across Metro Detroit on Friday, including hitting a police K-9 with a stolen car.
According to authorities, Karl Williams Sr. was arrested Friday, Sept. 12, following multiple crimes, a police shooting, a chase and a crash. He was one of three people arrested.
Prosecutors said Williams stole a GMC Acadia that was left running in Oak Park before attempting to rob a Walgreens store in Southfield, where he reportedly only got away with cigarettes.
After that, he picked up three friends and allegedly planned to rob a car wash on Eight Mile Road in Warren. Police in Warren, who were looking for the stolen GMC, spotted it while the group was reportedly casing the car wash.
When several police cruisers arrived at the scene and attempted to block the GMC in, Williams allegedly attempted to drive between two police cruisers, hitting both of them. A K-9 handler reportedly had to grab their dog to prevent it from being hit by one of the cruisers that were struck.
Prosecutors said a police officer fired one round, striking one of the passengers in the back, before the stolen GMC hit the K-9 and drove off down Eight Mile Road, allegedly reaching speeds above 100 mph.
Police chased the GMC into Detroit, where it came to a stop near Yonka Street after it hit the median while attempting to turn.
All four occupants were taken into custody. The passenger who was shot was taken to a hospital for treatment before being taken to jail.
On Monday, Sept. 15, Williams was charged in Macomb County with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle, third-degree fleeing and eluding, assaulting/resisting a police officer, five counts of felony firearm, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of causing physical harm to a police animal.
He is allegedly a habitual offender. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison.
Williams’ bond was set at $750,000 cash/surety. His probable cause conference is scheduled for Sept. 23.
Charges in Oakland and Wayne counties are expected.