'Simply incredible': Detroit police chief praises officers' actions during crime update

Detroit Police Chief provides crime update

Detroit Police Chief James White held a press conference to provide an update on several recent crimes around the city, including a rash of dollar store robberies, a child who accidentally shot himself, and a fatal crash due to speeding.

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Detroit Police Chief James White praised some of his officers while providing an update on recent crimes Monday,

The chief said he has seen heroic actions from the department, and he wants to highlight those during crime briefs.

White discussed a fatal crash Saturday where officers helped pull victims from a burning vehicle. According to White, the officers saw the vehicle speeding moments before it crashed into a tree and burst into flames in the area of Woodhall Street and Chandler Park Drive. The officers were able to get three people out of the vehicle, while a fourth victim, who was a passenger, died.

"The officers’ actions were just simply incredible," White said, noting that the officers suffered minor injuries that required treatment.

Detroit police officers rescue 3 from burning vehicle

Detroit Police Chief James White praised officers who saved three people from a burning vehicle after a crash Saturday in Detroit. One person died.

White also shared details about a police chase where the officers were shot at. The officers were patrolling in the area of Madeline and Hayes when they saw two vehicles without license plates driving erratically around 3 a.m. Sunday.

The officers pursued one of the vehicles. During the chase, six shots were fired at the police.

"They made the courageous decision not to return fire," White said.

Eventually, the vehicle crashed, and two people were arrested. No officers were hurt, and the suspects suffered minor injuries. 

Besides highlighting his officers' actions, White also provided details on other crimes.

He said that an accidental shooting of a 5-year-old boy remains under investigation after the child got ahold of an unsecured gun in the 2900 block of Kendall Street. He shot himself in the had and lost his finger.

White said police were told that the child found the gun in a vehicle, but there was evidence that the shooting may not have happened in the vehicle. The gun was recovered in the house, he said. 

"We have been here too many times, talking about gun ownership and making sure these weapons are secure," White said.

The chief also discussed a rash of dollar store robberies in the city and the progress police have made in solving these crimes. According to White, there have been 20 armed robberies of dollar stores since Jan. 1.

"We believe that they’re soft targets and people are taking advantage of that," he said.

A suspect, Fernando Ford, has been arrested and charged with armed robbery and felony firearm in connection with one robbery. White said officers are also close to arresting another suspect who investigators say is responsible for multiple dollar store robberies.