Driver arrested in a parking lot after doing a burnout for Instagram
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Battle Creek, MI - A Battle Creek man may have to wait a big longer for his first date after city officials filed what they said was the first civil forfeiture lawsuit under the city's updated public nuisance ordinance.
The City of Battle Creek announced Friday it is asking a court to forfeit a 2024 Ford Mustang after its driver, identified as Jaylone Porter, allegedly performed donuts in the parking lot of the West Columbia Avenue Meijer gas station, just feet from active fuel pumps.
According to the city, the incident happened around 7:30 a.m. on June 14 while a Battle Creek police officer was nearby.
Police said Porter used the Mustang, which had been purchased only days earlier, to spin its tires and perform donuts in an apparent attempt to create content for social media.
According to the city, Porter admitted what he was doing when officers approached him, telling police, "I just woke up and felt like spinning 'em."
The city said he also told officers he "needed a flick for my gram" to boost a livestream and, after being arrested, exclaimed, "This is so cool! I'm locked up!" while estimating the arrest would bring him "at least 100 viewers."
Officials said Porter later remarked that he was "not getting caught again" and suggested finding another location where he could continue spinning the vehicle. The city also said he told officers his arrest disrupted plans for a first date in Ohio later that evening, meaning he would have to rent a car or borrow his father's vehicle.
"We appreciate Mr. Porter's candor and cooperation throughout the investigation," Battle Creek Police Chief Shannon Bagley said in a statement. "However, his own statements demonstrated that he understood exactly why officers had intervened. When someone talks about not getting caught again and immediately begins looking for another place to do the same thing, it underscores why accountability matters."
City Attorney Bill Kim said the city hopes the case sends a broader message about reckless driving.
"Since Mr. Porter was looking for views, we're happy to lend our platform to turn this incident into a public safety campaign," Kim said. "Our message is simple: enjoy your vehicle, but do so responsibly. When someone's actions put other people at risk, the city will act to protect public safety."
The city has released dashboard camera video from the incident as part of what it calls a public safety awareness campaign showing how quickly reckless driving can lead to serious consequences.
Battle Creek officials said the lawsuit marks the first civil forfeiture action filed under the city's revised public nuisance ordinance. Under Chapter 652 of the city code, the city is asking the court to order the Mustang forfeited because of the alleged reckless driving offense.