Woman Accused In Novi Cop Dragging Incident Apprehended In Georgia

NOVI (WWJ) - A woman accused of dragging a Novi police officer with her car after a traffic stop has been apprehended by US Marshals in Georgia.

Police say 26-year-old Chantell Sturdivant was taken into custody around 1 a.m. Friday inside a hotel room in Cobb County, Georgia that she rented using an alias. She is currently lodged at the Cobb County Jail awaiting extradition.

Authorities have been searching for Sturdivant since an early morning incident on March 7 when she was stopped by an officer for disobeying a traffic signal in the area of Haggerty Road, north of 8 Mile Road.

During the traffic stop, the officer learned that Sturdivant had multiple warrants out for her arrest and was driving on a suspended license. At that point, police say Sturdivant was advised she was being placed under arrest when she asked to get her cell phone from her vehicle to make arrangements for her children, who were inside the vehicle.

Once back in the car, police say Sturdivant refused to get out and accelerated away from the officer, whor grabbed her arm and ran with the vehicle before eventually letting go. The officer suffered minor injuries when he hit the ground.

Following the incident, Novi police began working with the U.S. Marshals and Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team to locate Sturdivant. The Oakland County Prosecutor's office also obtained several felony warrants for her arrest. When police received information that Sturdivant was avoiding apprehension and would possibly flee Michigan to avoid prosecution, the Oakland County Prosecutor's office issued an expedited extraditable warrant in the event Sturdivant was located out of state.

"This is a prime example of how collaboration between prosecutors with federal and local law enforcement agencies resulted in the apprehension of person who shows little regard for the safety of others," Novi Police Chief David Molloy said in a statement. "We are very thankful for our partners in the United States Marshal's Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team for their assistance and relentless pursuit of this wanted felon."

The incident remains under investigation.