Dequon Hardimon Charged in Kalamazoo Mail Theft Chase

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, Mich. — Dequon Hardimon, 26, an Illinois resident, faces federal charges after allegedly stealing mail and leading police on a high-speed chase in Kalamazoo County.

Authorities say Hardimon, along with two others, was driving an SUV around 3:30 a.m. Monday when USPS inspectors observed two of the passengers stealing mail bins from a blue collection box at the Miller Road USPS branch.

When inspectors attempted to stop the vehicle, Hardimon reportedly drove over a concrete curb, across a lawn, and fled, prompting a chase involving Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, the County Sheriff’s Office, and Michigan State Police.

During the pursuit, Hardimon led officers southbound on US-131. According to a USPS spokesperson, the suspects tossed stolen mail out the vehicle’s windows. The chase continued onto I-94 before ending on Red Arrow Highway in Mattawan, where the suspects abandoned the SUV, jumped a fence, and ran into nearby woods.

Hardimon was captured and charged with possession of stolen mail. Investigators recovered over 100 pieces of stolen mail along the highway.

In court documents, Hardimon admitted he was paid $1,000 to drive the others around Kalamazoo. He also said he fled because he “hates police” and only stopped when the car’s engine failed.

The two other suspects remain at large, last seen running into the woods. Hardimon appeared in federal court Tuesday and was released on a $10,000 bond, with a preliminary hearing set for June 4.

The USPS has been investigating a wave of mail thefts in Kalamazoo since February, including targeted incidents at the Westwood and Oshtemo branches.

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