Driver Who Dragged Novi Police Officer Arraigned
NOVI, Mich -Chantell Lashay Sturdivant, the 26-year-old Detroit woman who dragged a Novi police officer for a short distance while fleeing the scene of a traffic stop on March 7, was arraigned on March 17 before Magistrate Andra Richardson of the 52-1 District Court in Novi.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office is charging Sturdivant with the following: • 1 count of Resist and Obstruct, 4-year felony • 1 count of Flee and Elude 4th degree, 2-year felony • Drove While License Suspended second or subsequent offense • Reckless Driving Richardson ordered that Sturdivant be held on $500,000 bond cash/surety, no 10% bond.
Sturdivant was initially stopped by police for disobeying a traffic signal in the area of Haggerty Road, north of 8 Mile Road around 2:13am on March 7. During the investigation of the stop, the officer learned she had multiple warrants out for her arrest and was driving on a suspended license.
The officer advised her that she was being placed under arrest, and Sturdivant asked if she could retrieve her cell phone from the vehicle to make arrangements for her children who were inside the vehicle. Once back in the car, she refused to get out and accelerated away from the officer.
The officer grabbed her arm and ran with the vehicle before eventually letting go. The officer suffered minor injuries when he hit the ground. On March 11, Sturdivant was taken into custody in Cobb County, Georgia, by the United States Marshalls Service, South East Regional Fugitive Task Force. On March 16, Novi investigators traveled to Atlanta where they took custody of Sturdivant after she waived extradition.
Sturdivant will be held in the Oakland County Jail while she awaits a probable cause conference at 9:15am on March 24 before 52-1 District Court Judge Travis Reeds.
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