When a Waterford Township man delivering the Oakland Press noticed a white Tahoe SUV following him out of Pine Knob Estates, about 3 a.m., Oct. 14, it made him uncomfortable enough to call 911.
The Tahoe chased him north on Sashabaw Road at speeds up to 80 mph. He saw the SUV driver point a .40-caliber pistol at him, so he slammed on the brakes, pulled into Fire Station #2 at Clarkston Road, and headed back south on Sashabaw, this time at speeds up to about 100 mph.
Near Maybee Road, he tried to turn north again but got stuck in the median, and the SUV driver pointed his pistol at him again. The newspaper driver backed out of the median and headed down Maybee where he met responding sheriff’s deputies.
Deputies found and arrested the SUV driver, Richard Bryant, 27, of Independence Township, at a gas station at Sashabaw and Pelton. Two empty cartridge cases were found in his SUV, but the pistol did not smell like it was fired recently, deputies said.
Bryant’s preliminary breath test indicated .159 blood alcohol level. He faces charges of felonious assault, possession of a firearm while intoxicated, and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony. He is free on bond, awaiting a hearing Oct. 27.
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A suspected cigarette thief blamed heroin addition for a series of thefts in Independence Township.
Daniel Whitenton, 25, of Independence Township allegedly stole cigarettes from several stores in the area. According to police reports, he would take a shopping cart full of groceries to checkout and request four cartons of cigarettes. When the clerk returned with the cartons, he would ask for one more pack. When the clerk went to retrieve those cigarettes, he would take off with the four cartons, leaving the rest of the groceries behind.
He said he took the stolen cigarettes to a gas station in Detroit, where he would sell them for $25 each, which he would use to buy heroin.
He is charged with retail fraud – misrepresentation, second degree. He has a hearing set Oct. 23.
? Phil Custodio