Harrison Twp. man charged in road rage incident

A Harrison Township man faces up to four years in prison in connection with a road rage incident, police officials said Friday.

The incident happened about 9 p.m. Tuesday, they said.

Joshua Books, 27, has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, a four-year felony, reckless driving, a 93-day misdemeanor, and a count of malicious use of telecommunications services, a 6-month misdemeanor, according to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.

Books was arraigned on the charges in a Clinton Township district court and a magistrate set his bond at $10,000. He also scheduled Brooks' next court appearance for Feb. 7.

Deputies responded to a call Tuesday night about a road rage incident in the Joy Boulevard and Irwin Drive area near Interstate 94, according to authorities.

A woman told the deputies that a male driver in a black 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe was swerving at her in attempt to strike her vehicle. She said at one point the driver put his vehicle in reverse while traveling at a high speed and attempted to back into her vehicle. 

The female victim said she tried to get away from the other vehicle several times, but he continued to follow her. 

Her young daughter, who was also in the victim's car, called 911, police said

The suspect fled the scene before the deputies arrived.

The victim gave deputies a description of the other vehicle and driver, officials said. One of the deputies was familiar with the vehicle and the suspect, who lived near where the incident happened.

Deputies went to the suspect's home and tried to speak to him, but he was uncooperative and refused to leave his house, police said.

Police impounded his vehicle and the suspect called 911 and the Sheriff's Office. Officials said he harassed dispatchers over the phone by shouting obscenities at them.

Deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Books from the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office and took him into custody later in the day.

cramirez@detroitnews.com