Woman Tosses Puppy Into Dumpster During Police Chase in Farmington Hills: Police

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — A Warren woman is facing charges after leaving a puppy in a dumpster during a police chase in Farmington Hills that ended in a crash, according to police.

Selena Martin, 25, was charged with second-degree fleeing police and driving a vehicle with a suspended license, which is a misdemeanor. She was placed in the Oakland County Jail with a $10,000 bond. Her next court date was set for Nov. 22.

She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted for the fleeing police charge and up to a year for the driving with a suspended license charge.

Police said Martin sped away from officers who tried stopping her car on Haggerty Road near 10 Mile Road during Wednesday's rush hour.

Officers initially chased Martin's car, but quickly ended their pursuit as she was weaving in and out of traffic, crossing lanes into oncoming traffic, cutting-off other vehicles and even sped through a red traffic light at an intersection, police said.

Police said Martin's vehicle was speeding at more than 100 miles per hour on Grand River Avenue and using the road's shoulder to pass other drivers. The vehicle continued speeding on Grand River until it turned onto northbound Orchard Lake Road, officials said.

Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King was in the area of Orchard Lake and 11 Mile roads in his own vehicle when he saw Martin's car pass traffic in a right-turn-only lane at 90 miles per hour, police said.

Moments later, Martin smashed her car into another car on Orchard Lake Road, just south of 12 Mile Road, police said.

Witnesses told officers Martin and a passenger ran away from the car, which sustained heavy damage in the crash, police said.

When officers arrived at the crash scene, they determined no one was injured in the crash and began looking for Martin and the passenger, police said.

Shortly later, officers arrested Martin and a 14-year-old Warren girl in connection to the chase and crash, police said.

Martin and the teen were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment after complaining of neck injuries they suffered in the crash, police said.

Police said the teen is unrelated to Martin and was turned over to a guardian.

While questioning Martin and the teen, detectives learned the two had left a puppy in a garbage dumpster while fleeing officers, police said. They told investigators they dumped the puppy there because it was impeding their escape, police said.

Police searched dumpsters in the area and found the puppy unharmed. Officials said the dog has been adopted, but the person who owns the puppy wants to remain anonymous.

Martin was previously convicted of fleeing and eluding police on two other occasions, most recently in August 2021 and September 2022.

"We’ve seen an alarming increase in the number of incidents of fleeing from police," Chief Jeff King said. "It’s concerning that even when police terminate a pursuit, the fleeing suspects still feel emboldened to continue their reckless behavior and put community members in significant danger. This type of dangerous, criminal behavior will not be tolerated in the City of Farmington Hills."