Kalamazoo, MI: On Sunday, July 22nd, 2012, at 3:54 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to a report of subjects breaking into storage units at Specialty Storage, located in the 800 block of E. Cork Street. Upon arrival, three male suspects fled on foot when confronted by Public Safety officers. PSO Marc Rifenberg gave chase to one of the suspects into a wooded area behind the business. PSO Rifenberg caught up to the suspect and a struggle ensued. During the struggle,   the suspect pulled a hatchet he had hidden in his waistband and attempted to assault PSO Rifenberg. PSO Rifenberg was able to disarm the suspect and take him into custody. PSO Rifenberg was not injured.  Two other suspects were apprehended by assisting officers with out incident.

Three sixteen-year-old suspects are currently lodged at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home on the charges breaking and entering, resisting and obstructing arrest, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and felonious assault on a police officer pending review of this investigation by the prosecutor’s office.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of:  Lt. Matt Huber

Date:  July 22^nd, 2012

Address:  150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact:  Captain Julie Parsons, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139