Robert Allen

Detroit Free Press

A motorist who knew he was headed for jail decided he had some unfinished business to complete before pulling over for a traffic stop on Sunday in Macomb County, police said.

The 36-year-old Clinton Township man kept driving for several miles after state troopers first attempted to pull over his Lincoln Continental because of an improper plate, according to Michigan State Police. At one point, he even put up a finger signaling he would pull over in a minute, police said..

So what was so important? He told troopers he wanted to finish his marijuana joint and call his family before he headed to jail, police said.

The man was driving southbound about 5:35 p.m. on M-53 in Washington Township, near 30 Mile Road, when troopers attempted to pull him over, police said. As a patrol car with lights and siren pursued the vehicle to 22 Mile Road, the driver motioned with a cell phone that he would pull over.

"The suspect then raised his finger, signaling that he would pull over in one minute," according to the report in a police incident log.

Shelby Township police joined the pursuit and boxed in the vehicle, which slowed to a stop before the driver was arrested without incident. The driver said he knew he had a warrant out of Florida, there was marijuana in the vehicle and he knew he was going to jail, police said.

"Further investigation revealed that the driver did have multiple warrants, including the one in Florida, open alcohol and marijuana was located in the vehicle," according to the report.

The man was arrested on suspicion of operating under the influence and lodged at Macomb County Jail, as prosecutors review the incident and before he is possibly extradited to Florida, according to police.

Contact Robert Allen: rallen@freepress.com