Inset: Rachele Ricklefs (Macomb County Prosecutor”s Office). Background: The Walmart where Ricklefs was arrested in Warren, Mich. (Google Maps).
A Michigan woman is behind bars after running down at least 10 different pedestrians in four different municipalities while her children were in the car with her, police say.
Rachele Ricklefs, 30, stands accused of a litany of crimes including 10 counts of assault with intent to murder, two counts each of fleeing a police officer in the third degree, malicious destruction of fire or police property, and malicious destruction of personal property as well as one count each of child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assaulting, restricting, or obstructing a police officer, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
“The allegations in this case are shocking and deeply disturbing,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said in a statement. “Our office is committed to pursuing this case to the fullest extent of the law to ensure justice is served.”
The incidents occurred on Sept. 26, in Clawson, Hazel Park, Royal Oak, and Warren – two small cities, one medium-sized city, and one large city, respectively. All of them are considered suburbs of Detroit.
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The hit-and-run spree began in Royal Oak, where Ricklefs’ Jeep struck a man on a bicycle, according to the Warren Police Department.
“It’s a miracle we are not talking about multiple fatalities here,” Warren Police Department Lt. John Gajewski said in comments reported by Detroit-based NBC affiliate WDIV.
Next, the Jeep hit two police cars in Clawson as officers tried to intercept her, according to the Clawson Police Department. At this time, the defendant’s 12-year-old son was able to extricate himself from the vehicle, police told Detroit-based Fox affiliate WJBK.
Authorities say Ricklefs’ 6-year-old remained in the black SUV with her throughout the day in question.
Then, the disorder and disarray made its way into Hazel Park, police said. There, Ricklefs allegedly struck a pedestrian.
After that, the defendant allegedly drove into Warren where additional pedestrians were struck in at least four separate locations, according to law enforcement. The automobile melee ended at a Walmart on Van Dyke Road in Warren. In the parking lot, Ricklefs allegedly ran into two people loading groceries into their car.
The defendant was soon set upon by police and allegedly resisted arrest but was taken into custody without further incident, police say.
The prosecutor’s office offered a summary of the chaos but insisted a full accounting of the roadway mayhem was not yet complete.
“She intentionally drove her vehicle into 10 individuals and one police officer,” according to a press release provided to Law&Crime. “There are additional victims who are not identified at this time.”
Law enforcement believe there are mental health concerns in the case but have not said more than that as of this writing.
Gajewski went on to describe the incident as “very, very, bizarre.”
On Monday, Ricklefs was arraigned in the 37th District Court in Warren before Judge Edward Servitto. She is currently detained in the Macomb County Jail on $750,000 bond.
The defendant is slated to next appear in court for a probable cause hearing on Oct. 7; and again for a preliminary exam on Oct. 14.
