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Man allegedly stole sheriff’s office Humvee, fled hit-and-run, crashed into patrol cars before officer-involved shooting

Police said Michael Joseph Lapeer stole the Humvee, started it up, hit a vehicle, failed to stop, fled a traffic stop, rammed two patrol cars before cops shot at him
Credit: Kingman Police Department
Michael Joseph Lapeer

PHOENIX — A suspect was arrested after he allegedly fled a traffic stop in Kingman late Sunday after an alleged hit-and-run, police said. 

The Kingman Police Department said 26-year-old Michael Joseph Lapeer was driving a Humvee in the area of Andy Devine and Armour avenues around 11 p.m. when he allegedly hit a vehicle and failed to stop. 

Kingman Police also tried to stop the Humvee, but Lapeer allegedly ignored the officer's commands. 

The Humvee continued driving for about one block until it eventually stalled. 

Lapeer allegedly refused officers’ commands to exit the Humvee. 

Police said Lapeer was able to start the Humvee again and reportedly rammed two Kingman patrol cars. 

Shots were fired at the Humvee and Lapeer was arrested. He was not armed, police said. 

No one was shot or injured.

Police learned that Lapeer stole the Humvee, which belongs to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, from a secured fenced yard in Kingman. 

While trespassing on the property, Lapeer was able to get the inactive Humvee to start. 

He rammed the stolen Humvee into the locked chain link gate to exit the yard. Lapeer drove the stolen Humvee approximately half a mile until it stalled.  

Per officer-involved shooting protocol, three Kingman Police officers were placed on paid administrative leave.

Lapeer was arrested for aggravated assault, burglary, theft of means of transportation and criminal damage.

He was booked into the Mohave County Jail in Kingman.

The Bullhead City Police Department is investigating the officer-involved shooting. 

This is a developing situation. Stay tuned to 12 News for the latest. 

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