Justin Oudman
WATERTOWN TWP. — The owner of a local pizza shop is facing criminal charges that escalated from minor to serious over a month-long period.
Justin Oudman, 31, who opened Fiery Igloo Pizzeria in Watertown earlier this year was arraigned on felony charges Sept. 1 following his arrest on Aug. 29.
According to the Sanilac County Sheriff Department, deputies were dispatched to Watertown between 9:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. after Central Dispatch received calls about a subject in a pickup truck tearing up roadways.
Officers checked the area for the vehicle without success. A short time later Central Dispatch received more complaints of a subject on a dirt bike tearing up the roadways.
Deputies returned to the area and located the dirt bike. When they attempted a traffic stop, though, the driver initially stopped then fled north into a field. When the bike stalled-out, officers again tried to make contact but the driver got the machine running and continued into the field where deputies observed him causing significant damage to crops.
Deputies, who were familiar with the suspect, contacted a person at the suspect’s residence. Officers were then able to speak with the suspect by telephone and had him leave the field to speak to them.
The suspect, Justin Oudman, of Sandusky was arrested and lodged at the Sanilac County Jail.
Two days later he was arraigned in 73A District Court on the following charges: police officer-fleeing fourth degree, a felony; weapons-felony firearm; police officer-assaulting/resisting/obstructing, a felony; operating with high blood alcohol content, a misdemeanor; malicious destruction of trees, shrubs, crops, grass, turf, soil less than $200; and weapons-pistol-carrying concealed while under the influence, a misdemeanor.
Oudman is scheduled for a probable cause conference Sept. 12 and a preliminary exam Sept. 19.
He was released from jail on $5,000 bond.
Oudman’s arrest for the Aug. 29 incident came on the heels of series of less serious offenses.
Since the beginning of August he has been cited for civil infractions: failure to yield; and off-road violation (three citations).