Royal Oak High Speed Chase Results In 5-Year Felony Charge

ROYAL OAK, MI — A 20-year-old Pontiac man is facing charges after leading Royal Oak police on a high speed chase Monday evening. Dylan Ray Beard was arraigned Thursday at 44th District Court in Royal Oak on one count of felony Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer – 3rd Degree, and one count of Operating –License Suspended, Revoked or Denied.

Royal Oak Police Lt. Keith Spencer said the Fleeing and Eluding charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison. Operating on a Suspended License is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500.00 fine. Beard was given a $10,000.00 cash/surety bond, with no 10 percent.

The chase began at about 7:50 p.m. Monday. Royal Oak officers attempted to stop the Pontiac man for driving on an expired license plate and driving erratically in the area of Woodward Avenue and Catalpa Drive between 11 Mile Road and 12 Mile.

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Royal Oak Police reports said that Beard fled after turning onto Catalpa and drove into the city of Berkley with an officer in pursuit. He then lost control of the vehicle on Catalpa west of Coolidge Road, after reaching speeds of over 90 mph. The car came to a stop after crashing into two parked vehicles and the porch of a home.

Spencer said no injuries were reported as a result of the crash. A passenger in the suspect’s car was shaken up, but refused treatment and was released.

Meanwhile, Beard fled from the scene after the crash. After an extensive search and with the assistance of Bloomfield Hills K-9 and Berkley Police, the driver was located at a business in the area of 12 Mile and Coolidge Road.

Photo courtesy of the Royal Oak Police Department