MONROE, Michigan — A man accused of robbing a Monroe, Mich., market, fatally shooting a man and stealing the car he was a passenger in, leading police on a pursuit and eventually crashing in Hancock County in 2023 will stand trial in circuit court on multiple charges, including homicide, according to the Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney.
Stephen Jones Jr., who was driving the carjacked vehicle when he and Ronnie Oliver were arrested following the crash in September of last year, was bound over to circuit court on Thursday on the following charges:
- one count of homicide - open murder
- one count of robbery - armed
- two counts of assault with intent to murder
- one count of carjacking
- four weapons counts, one each of firearms and ammunition possession by a felon and two of felony firearm
Jones faces life in prison for the open murder, assault, carjacking and armed robbery charges, according to the prosecuting attorney. The weapons charges with possession specifications carry a maximum of five years in prison and the charges with felony firearm specification carry a maximum of two years in prison.
Jones and Oliver allegedly robbed the Highlander Market and then carjacked a vehicle. When the occupants got out of the vehicle, the suspects shot them and fled. Michael Beck, 31, of Monroe, died from his injuries in the shooting.
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, along with deputies from the Wood County Sheriff's Office, later saw and approached the vehicle and suspects wanted in connection with the Monroe carjacking at a rest stop near Bowling Green. The suspects then fled south on I-75.
According to authorities, the suspects shot at pursuing officers multiple times during the pursuit and troopers returned fire, hitting Jones.
The pursuit continued southbound on I-75 into Hancock County and exited onto state Route 15. As the vehicle was approaching Township Road 240, it went off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch, OSHP said.
Jones is scheduled for arraignment in circuit court on Aug. 16. A judge has not yet been assigned, the prosecuting attorney said.
