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Who helped James and Jennifer Crumbley flee? Person 'could face charges'

Detroit Police Chief James White said the distressed pair did not resist being taken into police custody and were not armed

After police were unable to locate Oxford High School suspect Ethan Crumbley's parents, the vehicle belonging to James Robert Crumbley and Jennifer Lynn Crumbley was apprehended and the pair were arrested from the basement of a Detroit building on Saturday, December 4. Detroit police hinted at the possibility of someone else helping them hide from the police. 

Undersheriff Mike McCabe confirmed that the "wanted fugitives" were located after a business owner saw one of them in a parking lot on Bellevue. Reports said a woman was spotted beside the Black SUV owned by the Crumbleys, and who "fled on foot" after police were called.

The vehicle in question was a black 2021 Kia Seltos SUV with Michigan license plate number DQG 5203. McCabe told NBC: "After an extensive search by Detroit Police Department (DPD), including Detroit canine units, both of the fugitives were located and arrested by DPD. The two will be transported to the Oakland County Jail tonight." 

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'Strong possibility' Ethan Crumbley had gun in bag at behavioral meet before shooting

Oxford superintendent said 'no discipline warranted' for Ethan Crumbley before attack

As we reported earlier, James bought a 9mm Sig Sauer SP 2022 pistol at a Black Friday sale just days before the shooting, and which was somehow obtained by Ethan. The teen then showed off the gun in his social media posts, and possibly brought it to a behavioral meeting with administrators before the attack. James and Jennifer Crumbley have each have been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter after their teen son was accused of killing four students and injuring seven others including a teacher at his high school on November 30. Ethan was arraigned on Wednesday, after being charged as an adult with terrorism, murder, and other counts in connection to the school shooting. Although Ethan's parents were expected to be arraigned on Friday evening, they seemingly had skipped town. 

'They didn't break in, somebody let them in'

The Crumbleys were given a deadline till 4 pm Friday to surrender which they failed to honor. Hours after the deadline, a tipster called Detroit police leading them to an abandoned black 2021 Kia Seltos SUV parked within walking distance of the Detroit River which forms the border between the US and Canada. The police cordoned off several blocks within the area and deployed K-9 units, launching a massive manhunt for the Crumbleys. They were found in the basement of a commercial building at 1111 Bellevue Street. 

In a press conference following the arrest, Detroit Police Chief James White said the pair appeared to look distressed as they were arrested. However, they did not resist being taken into police custody and were not armed. "They appeared to be distressed as they were heading out," White said. "They were very distressed as they were walking out." He added that the building where they were hiding was an art studio and the pair were let in by someone. "They didn't break in. somebody let them in," White said. "We don't know the relationship yet. That's active. That person could face charges."

The chief praised the work of his officers as well as the community in apprehending the fugitives. "(Suprised they were here), yes," White said. "But not surprised at the work by the men and women of this police department and I could not be more proud."

Crumbley family lawyer claim James and Jennifer were not fleeing from police

In the hours leading up to their arrest, there seemed to be a miscommunication between the couple's lawyers and the prosecutor's office. “Instead of communicating with us, the prosecutor held a press conference to announce charges. The Crumbleys left town on the night of the tragic shooting for their own safety. They are returning to the area to be arraigned. They are not fleeing from law enforcement despite recent comments in media reports," the Crumbleys' lawyers said. The prosecutors and lawyers reached an agreement in the morning, but by 2 pm, there was no sign of them. Their arraignment was set for 4 pm, which the Crumbleys missed. "Our last conversation with the attorney was that she had been trying to reach them by phone and text, and they were not responding," Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said at the time.

Around 5:30 pm on the same day, the US Marshals announced that they were joining the search for James and Jennifer Crumbley and announced a $10,000 reward for any tips leading to their arrest. The USMS Detroit Fugitive Apprehension team is working with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office on the search. “The US Marshals have adopted the case of the search for James and Jennifer Crumbley,” a tweet reads. “The USMS Detroit Fugitive Apprehension team is working in conjunction with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office on the search.” Ethan is expected back in court for a probable cause conference on December 13 and on December 20 for a preliminary examination.