Kalamazoo, MI: On Thursday, February 9th, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to a report of a 4 year old child lost without proper clothing. A resident in the 2400 block of Kensington had reported that the 4 year child came to their door without proper winter clothing and reported that they had been left alone in a car nearby by their mother. Upon arrival, Public Safety Officers encountered the 29 year old mother of the child, and the child and started a Child Neglect investigation. This investigation led officers to a nearby park, where the child stated the car had been parked. Officers located a rented box style truck, reported stolen out of Alabama. During this investigation, another resident in the 2500 block of Lorraine called 911 to report a female stealing male out of mailboxes. K-9 Handler Brooks, and his K-9 partner Bodi, conducted a search for the suspect. During the track, the suspect was apprehended and identified as a 27 year old female from Alabama. While investigating the theft, it was learned that the 29 year old mother and the 27 year old mail thief were in Kalamazoo together. They drove the stolen truck from Alabama and had stopped in the neighborhood to steal mail in order to obtain money. The child appeared to have been left alone in the car while they conducted their mail thefts. Mail was recovered from one of the suspects. The mother of the child has no local connections. Child and Protective services was contacted and will take custody of the child.
The mother was arrested on Child Neglect charges and the 27 year old female was arrested for larceny. Both were also arrested on vehicle theft charges. The suspects were lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail. Officers are currently investigating how many victims of mail theft are currently outstanding.
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.
Date: 2-9-2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139