Advertisement

Brandon Bush, 16, of Lapeer, is on the run after bolting from a female Probate Court transport employee's car about 3:19 p.m. It's unclear how Bush was able to slip away and he is not thought to be handcuffed. A Lapeer Family Court employee, who didn't want her name used, declined comment and said there was no one in authority to speak at press time.

Details are sketchy but Bush ran off in the area of the McDonald's restaurant parking lot and fled into the woods behind The Home Depot. He evaded teams of Lapeer City Police and Michigan State Police. A Michigan State Police tracking dog brought in from Flint was unable to locate him, said Michigan State Police Sgt. Robin Walker.

"He wasn't located and he remains at large," said F/Lt. Patrick McGreevy. "I would consider him to be a threat."

The escape came the same day as Lapeer County Prosecuting Attorney Byron Konschuh petitioned Circuit Court Judge Justus Scott to have Bush stand trial as an adult. Scott had not yet ruled on that request.

"It's set for a hearing date and he'll either grant or deny it," Konschuh said.

If Scott rules in favor of the motion, the teen will be charged with auto theft, fleeing and eluding police and resisting and obstructing police as an adult. Konschuh is seeking the heftier charges because of the teen's past brushes with the law.

"We felt that Probate Court has exhausted all their services," Konschuh said. "He's been in all kinds of programs and needs to face harsher penalties. He also could face additional charges for escaping lawful custody."

This isn't the first time Bush is thought to have run from authorities. Bush ignored a Michigan State Police traffic stop early morning May 25 resulting in a 40-mile chase in a car thought to be stolen. The vehicle didn't stop and accelerated in an attempt to elude troopers Scott Reynolds and Jason Mercier. The car continued west on Oregon Road reaching speeds of 100 miles an hour, ignoring traffic signs and lights. The pursuit lasted about 29 minutes and concluded on a dead-end on Vassar Road when the car collided into a culvert.

The driver fled on foot into a wooded area. He was located by police officers several minutes later and arrested. His male passengers, ages, 24 and 17, of Lapeer, were also taken into custody at the scene.

Anyone with information about Bush is asked to phone the Michigan State Police at (810) 664-2905.