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Homicide suspect chased down and caught by Inkster police in crackdown
Inkster Police Chief Bill Ratliff says they are battling an uptick in gun crime and are responding by focusing on hot spots and working with neighboring departments.
INKSTER, Mich. (FOX 2) - When Inkster police took a man wanted for multiple murders into custody last week, it was part of program to get dangerous criminals off the street - and FOX 2's Jessica Dupnack was along for the ride.
Kawan Taylor, 34, was wanted for several murders. Last Friday, police in Inkster tracked down their suspect - even as he tried to hide under a lawn chair.
"I live here, it’s my city, it’s my community and I feel obligated to be out here and see what’s going on," Inkster Police Chief Bill Ratliff said.
According to Ratliff, they're battling an uptick of gun-related crimes in Inkster.
"Those things are thing we need to stop trending upwards," he said.
With officer shortages hitting small departments like theirs, Inkster Police have to get creative. This January, they launched ‘Operation Winter Storm' with Michigan State Police. They're joined by neighboring Dearborn Heights Police and the Wayne County Sheriff's office.
"I think we are upwards of 45 or 50 people right now," Ratliff said.
They're targeting crime spots in the city and flooding traffic enforcement zones to keep tabs on some of Inkster's most wanted.
"The goal is to get criminals off the street, the goal is to get guns off the street," the chief said.
Ratliff is the first chief in Inkster to actually live in the city in 30 years. It's his home and always has been - he started with the department in the Police Explorers program at just 14 years old. Now he's the top cop - while trying to shake a stigma.
"It isn’t a crime-ridden community, it isn’t a terrible place to be or live," he said. "Our department suffered a tremendous cut and we are slowly but surely trying to crawl back from that. "
As staffing dwindles, crime stats spike - and Ratliff is fighting to stop that.
"I have eight open positions and one applicant in the pipeline. I have to find a way to attract people to be police officers and that’s very difficult," he said.
MSP has been embedded in the department since 2015 as part of the Secured Cities Partnership. It was MSP troopers who tried to make a traffic stop on Taylor as part of Operation Winter Storm.
Kawon Taylor
Taylor, a career criminal, was believed to be armed and dangerous. He was wanted for multiple homicides when police tracked him down.
"This is an individual we’re concerned about being out in the public," Ratliff said.
Taylor led police on a short chase before crashing in Wayne at Howe Road and Annapolis Street before ditching the car. he then hid in a nearby yard under a lawn chair - but couldn't hide from the influx of officers in the area.
"While interviewing Mr. Taylor he said he does not stop for the police," Ratliff said.
Taylor appeared and was charged with fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing, and being a habitual offender - four times. He was ordered held on a $150,000 cash bond and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.
He could face additional changes for other violent crimes.
This is a start, Ratliff said. The arrest puts a dent in what they're dealing with, in terms of narcotics and gangs.
"Very seldom do we have random crime. You’re not going to go to Walgreens and get robbed in the parking lot, you’re not going to get carjacked in Inkster. All of the things people have perceptions about in this community are wrong," Ratliff said.
They'll take the win for the night while sending a message to criminals.
"These type of operations allow us to make sure people know we are here we are working and if you come to Inkster to commit crime you have a rude awakening, we are going to get you," he said.
Kawan Taylor, a man wanted for murder, is arrested by Inkster Police as part of Operation Winter Storm to arrest suspects wanted for violent crimes.