High Speed Chase Leads To Multiple Felonies For Southfield Man

(UPDATED) ROYAL OAK, MI — On March 30, 2017, Frankie Lysander Burton of Southfield was arraigned in the 44th District Court in one felony count of fleeing and eluding – 3rd Degree, two felony counts of retail fraud – 1st degree, and one (1) count of operating without a license.

Each felony count carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, while the license offense carries a penalty of up to 90 days in jail. Burton’s bond was set at $50,000 cash/surety no 10 percent. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 11, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. at the district court.

Investigators from Royal Oak confirmed the items found in the back of Burton’s vehicle were stolen from Meijer and Walmart stores. Investigators suspect the items had been stolen just
prior to the traffic stop.

Burton’s criminal history includes convictions for; Armed Robbery, Police Officer - Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing, Retail Fraud, Uttering & Publishing, Identity Theft, and Possession of Narcotics.

Earlier: A 50-year-old Southfield man was arrested after fleeing from a traffic stop on March 28. Police pulled the man over after he was seen speeding on 14 Mile Road near Coolidge Road at approximately 4 a.m.

Soon after making the stop, officers discovered that the man was driving on a suspended license and had outstanding warrants for his arrest. They ordered him to step out of his vehicle, but the driver instead made a u-turn and sped away.

Officers pursued the driver who was traveling south in the northbound lanes of Coolidge Road before reaching 13 Mile Road. The pursuit continued south on Coolidge, reaching speeds of 100 mph into Oak Park. As officers terminated the pursuit, the suspect attempted to make a turn onto a side street and lost control of his vehicle near Pearson and Coolidge in Oak Park. The suspect vehicle came to rest against a home and Oak Park offficers assisted in taking the suspect into custody.

The suspect suffered a minor injury during the crash and was treated by the Royal Oak Fire Department. The home the suspect struck was not damaged and no other injuries were reported. The suspect is being held on charges for fleeing and eluding a police officer, driving while license suspended, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, and misdemeanor warrants.

Officers also recovered several items from the suspect’s vehicle which are believed to be recently stolen from major retail stores. The Royal Oak Police Criminal Investigation Division is investigating.

Photo courtesy of the Royal Oak Police Department