PONTIAC, Mich. (WXYZ) — A man was arrested after a lengthy crime spree in Pontiac on Dec. 20.
Police say the spree began at 5:33 p.m. with the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Mark Hoover, allegedly attempting to take a purse from a neighbor in the 300 block of Ferry Avenue. Police say he was unsuccessful and ran back to his residence across the street. As deputies were called, Hoover allegedly escaped out of a back window and ran away.
Then, in the 400 block of S. Jessie, police say Hoover approached kids sitting in a car, jumped in and pointed a handgun at them, demanding the keys. Police say he was unsuccessful and ran away.
Police say then, Hoover approached a woman in her car at the intersection of Osmun and Sanford. He allegedly pointed a gun at her and demanded she stop her car. Police say she accelerated at Hoover and struck him. He was reportedly able to recover and ran away again.
In the 200 block of Willard Street, police say he allegedly approached another woman sitting in her car. He reportedly opened the driver's side door, pointed a gun at her and demanded she get out. The victim kicked him, yelled and honked her horn, police say. Hoover then ran away.
Then, Hoover approached a woman and her granddaughter in the 200 block of Willard Street, police say. The victim got out of her vehicle and Hoover allegedly pointed a gun at her, demanding her keys. She gave him the keys and her purse, police say. When he went into the car, he could not start the vehicle. Police say he left the car, threw the purse and ran away.
In the 90 block of S. Jessie, police say Hoover found an unoccupied car in the driveway, drove off in it and left it on the side of the road shortly after.
Hoover then allegedly forced his way into a residence in the 200 block of Norton Avenue. Police say he pointed a handgun at the owner and threatened to kill him. The victim reportedly physically fought with Hoover, who left the residence after taking the victim's phone.
Police say that in the 40 block of Matthews Street, Hoover allegedly approached a car that was occupied with two adults and four children under the age of 7. He allegedly threatened the driver with a gun and demanded they leave the vehicle. Police say he used the handgun to hit the driver over the head. The victim was able to accelerate and drive away, police say.
On Cass Avenue, police say that Hoover forced his way into an Amazon delivery truck and threatened the driver with a gun. He then drove off with the victim still in the truck. He allegedly threatened the victim, continued to point the gun at her and reportedly said he was going to rape her. The victim opened the passenger door to jump out, but her foot got stuck.
Police say Hoover dragged the victim for approximately 20 yards until her foot became dislodged. He reportedly crashed the truck and left it on the side of the road. The driver was treated at a local hospital.
In the 100 block of Gladstone, police say Hoover approached a vehicle occupied by three men and allegedly pointed a handgun at two of them, demanding they exit. Police say he kept one man with him, demanding he drive away with Hoover.
At this time, deputies were able to pursue the vehicle and stop it. Hoover ran away from the car and was captured by deputies. He was taken into custody at 7:03 p.m.
He is expected to be arraigned on multiple charges including carjacking, unarmed robbery, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, attempt UDAA, car theft, first-degree home invasion, kidnapping, criminal sexual assault with the intent to sexual penetration, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, assault with intent to commit a felony, fleeing, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting and obstructing.
