Macomb County, Michigan — Monday’s violent crime spree that began in Harrison Township and tore through several neighboring cities left residents shaken and authorities piecing together a chaotic series of events involving home invasions, a carjacking, a golf course pursuit, and a stabbing. The suspect, identified as 52-year-old Thomas Tackett, is now facing a long list of serious felony charges.

The turmoil began shortly after 12:30 p.m. Monday when a Harrison Township homeowner called 911 to report a suspicious man in their backyard. The individual, later confirmed to be Tackett, was reportedly drinking from a garden hose. When approached by deputies from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, Tackett told them he was homeless, thirsty, and trying to make his way back to Port Huron. Deputies offered assistance, but he refused and walked away.

Within ten minutes of that encounter, another 911 call came in — this time reporting a home burglary and a stolen handgun in the same neighborhood. Deputies immediately suspected Tackett, who had just been seen nearby, and began searching the area. Their instincts proved correct when they located him near 16 Mile and Prentiss streets in Harrison Township. When officers tried to conduct a pat-down, Tackett refused, yelling, “I don’t want no pat down,” before bolting on foot.

Moments later, the situation escalated dramatically. Tackett allegedly carjacked a driver at gunpoint, taking off in their SUV. As deputies pursued, he sped down a dirt road, kicking up a thick cloud of dust that obscured visibility and temporarily caused officers to lose sight of the vehicle. Sheriff Anthony Wickersham described the moment as “a chaotic and unpredictable situation that evolved rapidly.”

The chase resumed when officers spotted Tackett heading southbound on Jefferson Avenue toward St. Clair Shores. Residents along the route pointed officers toward Elmira Street, where police again made visual contact with the stolen SUV. In an astonishing turn, Tackett drove straight through the St. Clair Shores Golf Club, weaving between fairways and sand traps before exiting onto public roads.

When the pursuit entered Clinton Township, St. Clair Shores police disengaged, and Clinton Township authorities took over. The suspect continued into Mount Clemens, where he reportedly entered I-94, driving the wrong way along the shoulder. Officers, prioritizing public safety, reduced their pursuit as Tackett veered off-road, crashing the vehicle into a ditch before fleeing on foot.

In a desperate attempt to evade capture, Tackett allegedly tried to break into four more homes in Harrison Township. During one intrusion, police say he attacked a homeowner with a fork, stabbing the man in the hand during a struggle. The victim managed to fend him off and alert nearby officers. In another attempted break-in, Tackett fled when he realized the homeowner was armed.

Moments later, multiple law enforcement units converged on the area. Witnesses reported hearing officers shouting commands before Tackett was tackled and taken into custody. Deputies later recovered a pipe inside the stolen SUV, though investigators have not yet confirmed whether drugs or alcohol contributed to his erratic behavior.

Authorities say Tackett’s criminal history spans decades, with prior arrests for theft and violence. Sheriff Wickersham emphasized that his department’s quick coordination with surrounding cities helped prevent further harm. “This could have ended much worse,” Wickersham said. “Our deputies acted with restraint and professionalism under extreme circumstances.”

Tackett now faces a staggering list of charges, including carjacking, multiple counts of home invasion, assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting and obstructing police, fleeing and eluding, and property destruction. He remains in custody as prosecutors review additional evidence. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office is expected to formally announce charges later this week.

The bizarre crime spree — which spanned Harrison Township, St. Clair Shores, Clinton Township, and Mount Clemens — left many residents unsettled. But for police, it also underscored the unpredictable nature of crime and the importance of swift, coordinated response. What began as a simple welfare check quickly evolved into a county-wide chase that will be remembered as one of the most chaotic incidents of the year.