EASTPOINTE, Mich. – A Detroit man accused of leading a police chase over stolen plants in Eastpointe early Friday morning is facing multiple felony charges.
Jeremy Jamel Johnson was charged with second-degree fleeing and eluding police, breaking and entering without breaking with intent, obstructing or resisting a police officer, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
“I understand his charges are serious, and they are allegations, and I’m not out there trying to hurt nobody,” Johnson, 37, said during his arraignment on Friday in 38th District Court.
He said that his mother was currently in chemotherapy and touted his landscaping business, In Lawn We Care, insisting he is working to help the community.
“I had a back-to-school giveaway on my birthday, Aug. 29,” he said. “I gave away 150 book bags for the first time.”
It all started around 1:40 am at the English Gardens store on 9 Mile and Kelly roads.
Police were called on a report that someone was stealing plants.
When police responded, they pulled over a Chevy Silverado – with Johnson’s company name on it – that was hauling a trailer with landscaping equipment, including a lawnmower.
When police told the driver, later identified as Johnson, that he was being arrested for the theft of the plants, he drove off.
While Johnson was driving away, an officer’s leg was run over by the trailer in the process.
Police chased after Johnson through Warren, over to 8 Mile and Mound roads.
During the chase, the items in the trailer began spilling out, including the lawnmower.
A tire blew out, leaving the lawnmower in the middle of Mound.
When the truck finally stopped, Johnson got out of the truck and ran.
He allegedly threw lawn chairs at the pursuing officers before being tased and taken into custody.
Johnson has a lengthy criminal history, going as far back as 2012.
It includes multiple charges for fleeing police.
He was most recently convicted of larceny, assaulting police and felony firearms charges in Macomb County in February 2025.
Johnson told the court he had completed his probation in that case just three weeks ago on Sept. 3.
He attempted to get the judge to lower his $1 million cash bond, but to no avail.
“All I have to my name is $2,000,” Johnson said. “I probably could get $1,000 for my mom out of the savings, but I don’t have, I don’t have the equivalent of a million dollars.”
“You just get off probation from a violent assaultive charge, and here you have these allegations,” Makoski responded. “I think it’s appropriate, and I will so order it. Your bond is $1 million.”
Johnson is considered a habitual offender, so he potentially could face life in prison if convicted on these charges.
Along with the $1 million bond, he will also be on a GPS tether. Johnson is due back in court on Oct. 7.
