Kalamazoo, MI: On Saturday, December 5th, 2015, at approximately 2:45a.m, Kalamazoo Public Safety officers Nick Deleeuw and Brian Veltman conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Ford Taurus for a traffic violation in the 800 block of Woodbury Ave. During contact with the three occupants, marijuana was found in the vehicle. After this discovery, the front and rear seat passenger from the vehicle fled on foot. PSO Veltman gave chase and apprehended the rear seat passenger in the 500 block of Florence Street. After a search incident to arrest, cocaine was found on the suspect. PSO Marc Rifenberg and his canine Titan responded and conducted a track for the front seat passenger. The canine track led to the 700 block of Florence Street where the suspect was found hiding behind a house. Public Safety officers searched the vehicle that the passengers fled from and located a loaded .40 caliber handgun under the front passenger seat.
The 20 year-old rear seat passenger was arrested on the charges of resisting and obstructing arrest and possession of cocaine. The 20 year-old front seat passenger was arrested on the charges of resisting and obstructing arrest, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana. Both suspects were lodged at the Kalamazoo County jail pending review by the prosecutor’s office. A case will be submitted against the driver who remained on scene for driving on a suspended license and possession of marijuana.
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: December 5th, 2015
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139