Sought-after suspect caught in chase

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A man who investigators said was armed and dangerous Thursday was caught Friday after a wild police chase that topped speeds of 90 miles per hour, according to officials.

John Wesley Metzelburg, 35, was arrested with his girlfriend in northern St. Joseph County after shooting at officers multiple times during the high-speed pursuit, police said.

The vehicle the pair was riding in crashed into a tree after the driver lost control, and the couple was arrested. It's not clear whether it was Metzelburg or his 41-year-old girlfriend who was operating the car.

The incident took place just yards from a school, around the time of dismissal.

"Everything's getting crazier nowadays," said Sheriff Brad Balk, of St. Joseph County. "Any time you have weapons involved -- and we're seeing a lot of that -- we hate to have that happen."

Kent County detectives were in southern Kalamazoo County looking for Metzelburg and his girlfriend. Police caught the pair one county away, in Three Rivers, after the crash around 4 p.m. After their arrests, they were taken to a Three Rivers hospital, where they're currently listed in serious condition.

The couple sped down back roads to escape police, investigators said.

Eddie Young and his family watched the car speed into town, just yards from their home.

"I was going, 'What in the world is this?' '' Young said. "It just doesn't happen like this in Three Rivers."

Of the officers involved, one deputy hurt his hand, but it's considered a minor injury. Balk said he is glad no one else was hurt, considering what a large-scale chase this was.

"It was kind of scary, especially when we saw all of the different agencies had their shotguns out," Young said.

Deputies, police dogs and a SWAT team searched for hours in Grattan Township on Thursday evening to find Metzelburg, who they believe is behind a rash of home invasions in the area. He was considered armed, dangerous and possibly a threat to the public, police said. He was out on parole.

Metzelburg ran from investigators while they checked his residence on Old Belding Road.

His past includes more than 12 charges, most of them for passing false car titles and stealing. He has also been convicted on felony weapons charges, according to his Michigan Offender profile. Metzelburg was paroled in 2004.

For Friday's high-speed chase, authorities couldn't confirm how many charges the couple will face due to the number of police agencies involved (at least six). One charge will be assault with intent to commit murder, according to a news release from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department.

Kalamazoo police tried to stop the driver in the area of South 36th Street and Norscot, in Scotts, they added. That's when the suspects shot at officers and fled southbound on 36th.

At one point, the press release states, police deployed spike strips, which gave the suspects' car a flat tire -- but the driver kept speeding until the eventual crash.