A suspect who led Douglas police officers on an early-morning chase was jailed after he allegedly crashed his vehicle beside his house then jumped through a window in the house in an effort to get away.
On August 16, 2025, at around 2 a.m., a Douglas police officer attempted a traffic stop on a 2011 Kia Optima at East Leon Street and North Peterson Avenue. The incident report says that the driver, identified as Michael Shaw, 27, of Douglas, wouldn’t stop. The officer notified the sheriff’s office that a pursuit was in progress then right afterwards, he stopped chasing the Kia.
Shaw continued on North Gaskin Avenue and turned on Johnson Street, where the Kia crashed into a stop sign. Other officers arrived by that point. The car was empty but officers found a wallet inside. The registration and identification showed that the owner of the vehicle lived right where the Kia had crashed. Officers went to the house and noticed that a window was open on the south side of the home.
After speaking with neighbors, officers found someone who went inside and convinced Shaw to leave the residence. According to the report, Shaw stated that he had been home all day. However, his shorts were dirty and there was fresh dirt on the bed in the room with the open window.
Officers searched the Kia as wrecker crews arrived. They found suspected marijuana and an open container inside.
Shaw was arrested and charged with fleeing/attempting to elude officers, hit and run/leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended license, and a host of traffic violations as well as possession of marijuana (less than one ounce). He was jailed and later released.