Dramatic Police Chase Unravels Stolen Gun, Warrants in Lapeer County

Picture this: a fairly typical day in Lapeer County, when suddenly, a routine traffic stop escalates into something far more dramatic. That’s pretty much what happened recently, as police found themselves in a chase with a man who, it turns out, was allegedly carrying a stolen firearm and had a laundry list of issues already brewing.

The individual at the center of this whole affair is Thomas Patrick DeGrande. He's now facing some pretty serious charges, all stemming from an incident where, according to authorities, he just wouldn't pull over. Instead, he led officers on a chase through the county, a move that rarely ends well for anyone involved.

When the dust settled and police finally apprehended DeGrande, they made a rather unsettling discovery: he was reportedly in possession of a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun. And here's the kicker – that firearm, it was confirmed, had been reported stolen. Talk about piling on the trouble, right?

But the revelations didn't stop there. As police dug a little deeper, they found that DeGrande wasn't just in Lapeer County by chance; he was apparently wanted elsewhere. Turns out, he had a couple of outstanding warrants waiting for him back in Genesee County. It’s almost like a domino effect, with one issue after another coming to light.

Now, DeGrande is staring down a stack of charges in Lapeer County. We're talking about fleeing and eluding police, which is a big one. Then there's receiving and concealing stolen property, specifically that handgun, along with carrying a concealed weapon. Oh, and let's not forget resisting and obstructing a police officer, plus driving with a suspended license. It really adds up, doesn't it?

He's already made an appearance in court, where a magistrate set his bond at a hefty $50,000 cash or surety. That’s a significant amount, clearly reflecting the seriousness of the allegations against him. His next step in the legal process is a preliminary examination, currently slated for March 26th.

It’s also worth noting that DeGrande isn't entirely new to the legal system. Records show he has some past convictions, including attempted larceny and assault and battery. This history, of course, tends to factor into how the courts view new allegations. It just underscores the importance of every interaction, every decision made on the road, and the potential ripple effects it can have.