Five people were arrested after a vehicle chase in Branch County, Michigan, early on Thursday 5 November 2026, and deputies found marijuana reported to be stolen in the car.[1][2][3][4] A Branch County Sheriff’s Office deputy tried to stop the car for speeding on East Chicago Street near Vans Drive in Coldwater at about 2:15 a.m., and the driver failed to stop.[1][2][3][4]

The pursuit went north on I-69 before the car left the highway onto secondary roads, with the driver disregarding stop signs and other traffic control devices.[5] Emmett Township Department of Public Safety officers joined after about 30 miles, and stop sticks were deployed, though the driver kept fleeing and turned down a dead-end road.[1][3] The car crossed into Emmett Township and drove through a residential yard before stopping near woods behind a house.[5]

The five occupants, including the driver, ran on foot into the woods and were all found and taken into custody.[1][2][3][4] The five were taken to the Branch County Jail, where WOOD was told they remained in custody on Friday morning.[5][2] Deputies found a “substantial” amount of marijuana in the car during the investigation, which had been reported stolen.[5][2][3][4] The sheriff’s office did not say where the marijuana was reported stolen from, and officers from several agencies were investigating whether the five were linked to other offences.[5][2] The Branch County Sheriff’s Office said it was assisted by Michigan State Police including K-9 units, the Sturgis Public Safety Department and the Battle Creek Police Department.[1][3]