IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – A 35-year-old woman appeared in Dickinson County District Court this afternoon following a high-speed chase through multiple towns in Dickinson County that ended in her arrest on Thursday. Stephanie Vogel, the suspect in the case, was arraigned via Zoom from the county jail and now faces multiple charges, including motor vehicle unlawful driving away, fleeing a police officer in the fourth degree, operating while intoxicated, reckless driving, and having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle.
During the hearing, Vogel’s bond was set at $10,000. She stated her intention to attend a rehabilitation facility downstate. A probable cause conference is scheduled for September 5th at 2 p.m. CST, followed by a preliminary examination on September 12th at 3:30 p.m.
The incident began Thursday afternoon when a cab driver for Kacalo City Cab reported his taxi stolen outside the Family Dollar in Norway. According to Edward Kacalo, the owner of Kacalo City Cab, the driver had picked up Vogel as a passenger. She requested that the driver stop at the Family Dollar and fetch her a bottle of water, claiming she wasn’t feeling well. The driver left the vehicle running while he went into the store, and when he returned, the taxi and Vogel were gone.
Kacalo believes the theft was premeditated, noting that Vogel specifically requested the driver, who is known to be easy-going. “She used us frequently,” Kacalo said, adding, “She called, and she specifically asked for a specific driver, and she knows he’s really easy-going and everything and easily convinced and that, so.”
A chase ensued across multiple towns after the Norway Police Department received a report of the stolen vehicle around 4:28 p.m. Thursday. Officers from the Norway Police Department, Kingsford Public Safety, Iron Mountain Police Department, and the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office participated in the pursuit, which ended when spike strips were deployed on the highway in Norway.
According to Kacalo, the chase was perilous, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. “She was very unconcerned about any and everybody,” Kacalo said. He expressed his gratitude to the police for their swift response and the safe return of his vehicle. “There really was no damage to the cab except for the tires,” he added, noting that the vehicle was recovered with minimal damage.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the theft and pursuit. Vogel remains in custody at the Dickinson County Jail pending further court proceedings.
*This story is an update from a previous story. For the previous story, see link below:
