Royal Oak Man Charged With First-Degree Murder In Father's Death

ROYAL OAK, MI — A 31-year-old Royal Oak man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his father, a 73-year-old man who was found tied up in his home late last week. Dane Matthew Steward was denied bond at his arraignment in the 44th District Court Monday and charged with the felony that carries a penalty of life in prison without parole.

Steward was arrested in a violent confrontation with police on Jan. 17, authorities said. The pursuit involved multiple counties and ended with assaults and Steward being treated for injuries.

Police said the 73-year-old father was found dead in the home late Thursday evening, with his hands and legs bound. Officers had been called to the house in the 3700 block of Elmhurst after the man's other children were unable to reach him, according to a report.

They then discovered the father's vehicle missing and attempted to locate it, along with the man's son.

As the investigation continued, officers learned a Berrien County deputy had contact with the son early Thursday morning because the vehicle had run out of gas on I-94 near the Indiana border, Royal Oak Police said. As a broadcast was sent to agencies throughout Michigan and neighboring states, Gratiot County deputies were called to investigate a subject acting erratically at a gas station Thursday evening, police said.

Deputies identified Steward as the son and were alerted he was wanted in connection with a homicide investigation in Royal Oak.

Police say during the arrest Steward fled in the father's vehicle and sparked hour-long pursuit through several counties. Gratiot County deputies pursued the vehicle through Clinton, Ingham and Livingston counties while other deputies along the pursuit route deployed spike strips, which disabled all four tires of the vehicle, police said.

The vehicle became completely disabled on I-96 in Livingston County near Howell, where he was taken into custody with the assistance of the Livingston County Sheriff deputies, Royal Oak Police said.

Steward will return to court on Feb. 1.

Image via Royal Oak Police Department