A man who led police on a chase that began in Pinckney and ended in Ann Arbor will undergo a mental competency evaluation.

The exam was requested by attorneys for 24-year-old Justin Todd Thomas of Ypsilanti and was granted by Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael P. Hatty Tuesday. Thomas is charged with fleeing and eluding, resisting police, and driving on a suspended license.

Pinckney police say the incident began when they attempted to pull Thomas over for a traffic violation on August 6th. Thomas reportedly refused to identify himself to the officer and then fled from the stop. The Pinckney officer pursued Thomas south through the village to Dexter-Pinckney Road, Territorial Road and then southbound US-23. That’s where a Michigan State Police trooper joined the pursuit. The chase continued on US-23 to Main Street in Ann Arbor, where Thomas eventually stopped at a parking lot and surrendered.

Thomas has been referred to the state forensic center for the evaluation and a pre-trial hearing in the case has been adjourned until November 17th. (DK)