(WWJ) — As 2023 draws to a close, WWJ is taking a look back at the stories that grabbed our audience's attention.
From bizarre animal encounters and crazy crashes to silly criminals and failed attempts to get away from the police, here are eight of the wackiest crimes, crashes and other incidents in Metro Detroit and beyond that we covered this year.
Caught on video: Cowboy lassos runaway steer on I-75 in Oakland County -- READ MORE
This is one of those things you have to see to believe, so it's a good thing it was caught on camera. While this wasn't necessarily a police chase, Michigan State Police helped chase down an escaped… steer. The bovine, named Lester, broke out of his barn near Holly and a cowboy finally corralled him on the highway about a month later.
12-year-old Ann Arbor boy steals forklift, leads police on hour-long, slow-speed chase -- READ MORE
Speaking of bizarre police chases, one middle school student found himself in big trouble after stealing a large construction vehicle equipped with a forklift over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The 12-year-old hit multiple parked cars as he ignored Ann Arbor police. He was eventually caught by the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office.
Woman busted trying to shoplift at Michigan Walmart with 75 police officers in the store for 'Shop With A Cop' event -- READ MORE
The following week a Lansing-area woman brazenly tried to steal more than $700 worth of merchandise from a Walmart — in the midst of a "Shop With A Cop" charity event. Not only were dozens of police officers helping local kids shop for Christmas, the suspect parked her getaway car right next to all their police cars.
'Gotta catch 'em all': St. Clair County Sheriff's office busts man for stealing nearly $500 worth of Pokemon cards -- READ MORE
In other shoplifting news, a man took the Pokemon motto "gotta catch 'em all" a little too seriously. He and two other suspects used an empty baby stroller to steal hundreds of dollars worth of cards from a St. Clair County Walmart. Authorities put his picture out in a humorous social media post and with help from the public, he was eventually caught.
Thieves end up empty-handed after stealing backhoe to smash Detroit ATM in botched robbery attempt -- READ MORE
This summer a group of thieves on Detroit's west side nearly got away with an ATM… until they didn't. WWJ's Charlie Langton reported the suspects stole a backhoe, used it to smash a building and then loaded the ATM in the bucket. But at some point, the ATM fell out, and the suspects abandoned the machine, leaving Detroit police "laughing at this botched smash-and-grab."
Canton man arrested for OWI after causing crash, fleeing into the woods and trying to get away by calling Uber -- READ MORE
Earlier this fall a suspected drunk driver caused a crash near Brighton. In an attempt to avoid being caught, he fled the scene, running into the woods. Thanks to the help of a police drone, he was spotted hiding behind a trailer, then arrested shortly after getting into an Uber ride he called for. Police officials said the driver had no idea he was picking up a criminal.
'Mildly infuriating' — Brighton parents fed up with pet turkey that's been interfering with middle school drop-off -- READ MORE
Not long after school restarted this fall, parents in Brighton had already had enough with the headaches of the school drop-off line. But not because of other drivers — it was because of a turkey. The owner of the bird, ironically named "Dinner," said he was not aware that the turkey often escaped his enclosure to squawk at cars in the line.
Upper Peninsula firefighter charged with arson after being arrested while fighting fire he allegedly set -- READ MORE
Here on the WWJ Digital Team, we love some good Northern Michigan news. In this instance, a volunteer fire department in a small Upper Peninsula town was called to a fire at a former gift shop. While investigating the suspected case of arson, officials discovered it was one of their own who was responsible. A firefighter was arrested while fighting the fire, which he allegedly set himself. It turns out, he was identified as a suspect in at least two other cases of arson in the area.
