Motorcyclist accused of leading Farmington Hills police on chase charged

A Dearborn man has been charged in connection with leading police on a chase this week while on a motorcycle, officials said.

Abdel Rahman Tarabah, 26, was arraigned Thursday through 47th District Court in Farmington Hills on a charge of third-degree fleeing and eluding police as well as possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Farmington Hills police said.

A judge set Tarabah's bond at $10,000 and scheduled his next court hearing for April 19.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison for the fleeing and eluding charge and up to two years for the firearm possession charge.

Farmington Hills police said they arrested Tarabah on Tuesday after he led police on a chase through multiple jurisdictions while riding a motorcycle.

According to a preliminary investigation, Tarabah was operating a motorcycle before midnight when Dearborn police tried to stop him for reckless driving. His motorcycle also had no visible license plate, officials said.

Authorities reported he allegedly taunted police during the chase, popped wheelies, drove through yards and reached speeds of more than 140 mph. At one point, Redford Township police officers tried to stop Tarabah but terminated the pursuit when his motorcycle hit more than 100 mph.

A Michigan State Police helicopter tracked him to Farmington Hills and radioed the city's police officers. They also attempted to stop the motorcycle but the operator continued to flee, authorities said.

After chasing the suspect down Grand River Avenue, the suspect finally pulled into a parking lot near Purdue Street and surrendered, holding his hands in the air, police said.

As officers approached, Tarabah told them he had a handgun, according to police. Officers searched him and found a loaded, 9mm handgun in his waistband. They arrested him without incident.

Investigators examined the motorcycle and discovered it had run out of fuel.

"When an individual flees from police, they endanger the public at-large, the officers in pursuit, and themselves," Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King said in a statement. "It is their choices and actions that jeopardize the people and communities we have sworn to protect. The number of suspects and vehicles fleeing from police has increased at an alarming rate and contrary to some opinions, these dangerous suspects continue their reckless and hazardous behavior, even after police terminate the pursuit."

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez