Three Rivers man enters plea bargain

A St. Joseph County man, who stole a Jeep and led authorities on a pursuit in the city of Hillsdale, has entered into a plea bargain in 1st Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsdale County.

Michael Mercer, 23, of Three Rivers, appeared in court last month, facing charges of receiving and concealing stolen property; third-degree fleeing/eluding police; felonious assault; resisting arrest; and driving without a license.

Mercer pleaded guilty to third-degree fleeing/eluding in a plea bargain offered by the Hillsdale County prosecutor. He is scheduled to be sentenced Monday.

Mercer currently is serving time in the St. Joseph County jail for the stolen vehicle offense, said Neal Brady, prosecutor in Hillsdale County.

Court records show Michigan State Police attempted to stop Mercer in the stolen Jeep for a traffic violation Dec. 7.