St. Ignace, MI — On the afternoon of May 19, 2025, a dangerous and fast-moving incident unfolded in the St. Ignace area, prompting a coordinated response from multiple law enforcement agencies across Mackinac County. At approximately 2:09 p.m., the St. Ignace Police Department was notified that deputies from the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office were engaged in a vehicle pursuit headed northbound across the Mackinac Bridge. The pursuit was part of an ongoing attempt to apprehend a suspect fleeing law enforcement at high speeds.

The suspect vehicle, refusing to stop, barreled through a toll booth gate arm on the Mackinac Bridge before veering into the southbound lanes of I-75 and continuing northbound into the city of St. Ignace. At this point, law enforcement officers briefly lost visual contact with the vehicle due to its erratic and high-risk maneuvers.

Shortly thereafter, the suspect vehicle became disabled near the entrance of the Mackinac Straits Hospital at 1140 N. State Street. As the vehicle came to a halt, the suspect exited and attempted to forcibly hijack a nearby vehicle that was occupied by a woman and her young child. In a tense and frightening moment, the woman managed to drive away with the suspect clinging to the exterior of her vehicle. The suspect eventually fell from the vehicle without causing injury to the occupants.

Officers from the St. Ignace Police Department and the Michigan State Police quickly located the suspect on foot in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn at 1488 N. State Street. Upon confrontation, the suspect became combative and violently resisted arrest. Additional units from the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office and the Sault Tribal Police Department arrived on scene to assist. The suspect was eventually subdued and taken into custody without further incident.

The individual has been identified as Jack Maibach, a 27-year-old resident of Northville, Michigan. He was transported and lodged at the Mackinac County Jail. Following a review of the incident, the Mackinac County Prosecutor’s Office has formally charged Maibach with the following felony offenses:

• Fleeing and Eluding Police
• Carjacking
• Resisting and Obstructing a Police Officer

The quick and coordinated efforts of regional law enforcement were instrumental in bringing this highly dangerous situation to a close without loss of life or serious injury. The St. Ignace Police Department extends its gratitude to the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office, and Sault Tribal Police for their critical assistance in this matter.

“This event highlights the unpredictable and volatile nature of police work,” said Chief [Insert Name], Chief of the St. Ignace Police Department. “I commend all officers involved for their professionalism, restraint, and teamwork in what could have been a tragic scenario. Our community’s safety remains our highest priority.”

This incident remains under investigation. Additional charges may be considered as the investigation continues.