Charges filed against teen who allegedly stole car, pulled knife on cops

A suspected car thief from Pontiac, shot in the buttocks by an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy after pulling out a large knife during a foot pursuit has been arraigned on five felony charges.

Deshawn Martin Simpson, 19, allegedly stole a GMC Jimmy parked outside Happy’s Pizza on N. Perry and Pike on the evening of Jan. 26. Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies located him driving along M-59 near Rochester Road and attempted to pull him over, but he refused to stop and continued travelling on M-59 into Macomb County, the sheriff’s office said.

After a Macomb County sheriff’s deputy used a pursuit tactic to disable the GMC Jimmy, the suspect fled on foot with deputies in pursuit. That’s when he reportedly produced the large knife and was shot.

Simpson was listed in good condition after the incident, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

He faces one count each of unlawfully driving away an automobile, carrying a concealed weapon, fleeing a police officer, injuring/harassing a police animal while committing a crime, and assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer.

Simpson also is charged with two counts of probation violation for a prior firearms conviction. His next court date is Feb. 6.