Detroit Lions CEO Rod Wood speaks at the Detroit Economic Club

What’s The Buzz – The impact of relying on artificial intelligence

Michigan lawmakers discuss tariff concerns with car dealers

Watch the full Local 4 special: ‘Oxford Strong: One Year Later’

MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. – A domestic violence call in Muskegon County escalated significantly after a woman reportedly bit a trooper and stole a police cruiser while she was wearing handcuffs.

According to authorities, an altercation began between a Michigan State Police trooper and Cortney Morey after she was informed she was being arrested on Aug. 3.

During the struggle, Morey allegedly bit the trooper before two additional troopers arrived and managed to handcuff her.

Once she was placed in the back of the police car, video captured her freeing one of her hands from the handcuffs and taking control of the vehicle.

She was pursued for nearly nine miles before she allegedly crashed when the street ended.

Morey was charged with assaulting a police officer causing injury, auto theft, third-degree fleeing and eluding and malicious destruction of police property.

WILD GETAWAY | Michigan State Police dash cam video shows suspect stealing vehicle

Cortney Morey is accused of biting an officer, slipping her handcuffs, stealing a police cruiser and leading police on a chase in it before crashing.

More Videos

• Next up in 5Ole Miss Challenges Miami for a shot at a National Title
• Texas Tech Head Coach Joey McGuire Joins College Football Kickoff
• Why Washington Huskies Should TARGET Oregon Ducks RB Jayden Limar In Transfer Portal
• Portal Expert is IMPRESSED With Penn State’s Transfer Pickups + Who Matt Campbell Targets Next
• LIVE: Penn State Adds SNEAKY GOOD Transfer Receiver + Latest Updates From the Portal!

Author: Riley Mack, Kayla Crandall, Cali Lichter, Sarah Edgecomb

Published: 11:36 AM EDT August 22, 2024

Updated: 1:57 PM EDT August 22, 2024

MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — Editor’s note: In the first version of this story, 13 ON YOUR SIDE reported that a K9 was inside the patrol vehicle during the arrest. Michigan State Police said this is false.

Footage from a state trooper’s body camera and cruiser are revealing more details surrounding an incident where a woman bit the trooper, slipped her handcuffs and stole the patrol vehicle. 

Cortney Morey, of Ravenna, has been charged with assaulting a police officer, unlawful driving away, fleeing a police officer and malicious destruction of police property in connection to the incident. All the charges are felonies.

Michigan State Police said it all started when they were responding to a domestic call around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 3. 

RELATED: Woman who slipped her handcuffs, took MSP vehicle on chase heading to trial

13 ON YOUR SIDE obtained footage from both the body-worn camera and the dash camera on the trooper’s vehicle. Some information was redacted, and the police did not provide all the footage from the incident.

Body camera footage shows Morey sitting on the ground while talking with the trooper. The conversation escalates as it goes on and the trooper attempts to take her into custody. 

When the trooper tells Morey that she can’t bring her purse to the jail and would have to leave it behind, Morey begins to struggle and yell at the trooper.

The trooper then tells Morey to get on the ground and show her hands so she can be handcuffed. Morey continues to struggle, at one point threatening to sue the trooper. 

The trooper then yells and says, “Get off! Don’t bite!” after Morey bites her.

Other troopers arrived at the scene and handcuffed Morey. She was placed into a patrol vehicle, where she then slipped out of her handcuffs and into the driver’s seat.

In-camera video shows Morey evading other police and speeding as she led troopers on a chase. At one point, you can hear the tires squealing as she attempts to negotiate a sharp curve, and she rolls the windows down as she speeds down back roads.

Police say she eventually crashed into a swamp in Bridgeton Township. The vehicle had to be hauled out of the water. 

Morey was given a $20,000 cash-assured bond and cannot leave the state without permission.

A trial date has not yet been announced. 

The Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office says the charges against Morey reflect the seriousness of her offense.

“Obviously, our concern is for officer safety first, but she kind of upped the ante by leading the police on a high-speed chase, and that endangers everyone,” Timothy Maat, Chief Assistant at the prosecutor’s office, said. “So these charges are designed to reflect the seriousness of what she did and how she endangered the lives of these officers as well as the lives of ordinary citizens.”

Stills from tumultuous arrest

Cops: Woman bites paramedic’s groin, takes deputy’s taser after leaving family member at jail

By Live 5 Web Staff

Published: Jan. 5, 2022 at 5:53 AM GMT+7|Updated: Jan. 5, 2022 at 5:56 AM GMT+7

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Deputies have arrested a woman who is accused of taking a deputy’s taser then biting a paramedic’s groin after attempting to leave a family member at the Charleston County jail.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office arrested 63-year-old Gina Darlene McGehee of Charleston. She faces several charges including third-degree assault and battery, unlawful conduct towards a child, and assaulting a police officer while resisting arrest.

The incident happened last month when investigators say McGehee left a family member at the Al Cannon Detention Center after she claimed that person had taken a phone and used it to look up inappropriate images.

Deputies said they made numerous attempts to get McGehee to return to the jail before issuing a warrant for her arrest. When she finally returned to the jail, the sheriff’s office said McGehee resisted arrest and took a deputy’s taser which was eventually knocked out of her hand.

A deputy reported that when they got McGehee in a patrol car she attempted to make herself pass out, and EMS responded.

When medics were able to wake her, the report states that McGehee bit one of the paramedics in the groin.

Incident begins with woman leaving nephew at jail

Officials with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened on the morning of Dec. 28 when deputies responded to the Al Cannon Detention Center for someone who was left at the center by his legal guardian, later identified as McGehee. A report states McGehee dropped the family member at the jail because he had taken a cell phone from her car months ago and used it to look up inappropriate material.

When deputies called McGehee and told her that she needed to return to resolve the issue, McGehee said, “I’m not going back there, he’s your problem now.”

The report states that she also told deputies, ”Well then send a cop to come take me to jail because I’m not going back.”

The sheriff’s office reported that authorities made multiple attempts to get her to come back. A warrant was then issued for her arrest.

CCSO officials said when McGehee returned to the jail and was being told her Miranda Rights, she became loud and boisterous, and resisted arrest. During the incident, investigators say McGehee grabbed a deputy’s taser and pulled it out of the holster and said, ”I don’t know what I’m grabbing, but I’m going to use it. “

A deputy said he was able to knock the taser out of McGehee’s hand and place her under arrest and into a patrol car. According to the sheriff’s office, McGehee then continued to resist arrest and attempted to hold her breath.

EMS units then arrived on scene and placed her on a stretcher.

The incident report states that when medics woke McGehee she leaned over and bit a paramedic in the groin area. McGehee was transported to MUSC for evaluation and later transported to jail.