By By SPIROS GALLOS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Robert Paul Upham, 26, of Elkhart, Ind. led Niles City Police and other authorities on a high speed chase through Niles and Berrien Springs Thursday morning.
Niles City Police received a call about a stolen vehicle at 8:10 a.m. Thursday. The vehicle was reported to be a white Ford F-150 truck with Indiana license plates.
Niles City Police saw the vehicle near 17th and Main streets. Police followed the vehicle and identified it as the vehicle reported stolen.
Police attempted to pull the vehicle, but Upham continued driving and began traveling westbound on U.S. 12.
City officers pursued Upham as he turned north on West River Road, traveling towards the city. After turning eastbound onto Chicago Road, Upham caused an accident when a vehicle trying to avoid him ran off the road, said Niles City officer David Bosch, who took part in the chase.
After causing the accident, Upham continued into downtown Niles where he struck a vehicle near Front and Main streets.
Michigan State and Niles Township Police and the Berrien County Sheriff's Department joined the pursuit as it left the city of Niles.
While traveling north on Old U.S. 31, the chase approached speeds of over 90 miles-per-hour as Upham attempted to lose the pursuing police, Bosch said.
When the chase reached Berrien Springs, Niles City Police were called off because the chase was leaving their jurisdiction.
Michigan State Police and the Berrien County Sheriff's Department continued the pursuit as Upham drove the stolen truck through the campus of Andrews University.
Upham was apprehended after he struck a utility pole on Old U.S. 31 near Grove Street.
Upham was arrested pending charges of third degree fleeing and eluding of police, vehicle theft, leaving the scene of an accident, receiving and concealing stolen property over $20,000 in value, and a previous warrant in Cass County.
Upham was transported to the Niles Law Enforcement Complex were he was booked and lodged.