Kalamazoo, MI: On Monday, June 17th, 2019, at approximately 2245 hours, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to Walgreens at Riverview and Gull Rd, meeting two young females who were upset and trying to locate their uncle. The uncle was located and reunited with the two girls. In speaking with the girls, officers learned a family member had driven her vehicle into the Kalamazoo River. Officers were also advised; the mother had her two children inside the vehicle when it plunged into the river.

Officers began looking for a possible area where this could have occurred. Squad 6 responded to the area of Verburg Park off from Paterson St. with a boat. Within a few minutes of being in the water, officers located a submerged vehicle. A few minutes later two victims were located.

The Kalamazoo Forensics Crime Lab responded to process the scene. The Michigan State Police Dive Team was also asked to assist with the recovery of the vehicle and a possible third victim. At this time, the investigation is continuing. The identities of all the victims are being held until a positive identification can be made, along with family notification.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety offers its condolences to all family and friends who have been impacted by this tragic loss.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 269-488-8911 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Capt. Brad Misner

Date: June 17th, 2019
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Brad Misner, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139

Kalamazoo, MI:

On Thursday June 6th, 2019 at approximately 09:02 am, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to the 3700 block of S. Rose St. for a report of a house on fire.

Public Safety Officers arrived on scene within minutes of the call and found smoke coming from the eaves and attic vents near the roof of the single story house. Fire suppression efforts were conducted and the fire was extinguished. The structure was found to be unoccupied at the time. No firefighters or citizens were injured. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Fire Marshall’s office.

Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to call the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-488-8911, Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Date: June 6th, 2019
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Matthew Huber, Captain Operations Division, 337-8142

By authority of: Lt. Scott VanderEnde

Kalamazoo, MI:

On Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at approximately 0820hrs Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers were dispatched to the 900blk of Southworth Ter for a report of an in progress breaking and entering.

A witness reported the suspect was initially checking doors and windows all over the house and eventually entered the home through a window. As officers began to arrive the suspect slipped out of an unknown exit and fled the scene. After determining the suspect left a canine track was initiated by canine handler Jeff Deblecourt and canine Jax.

Canine Jax tracked the suspect more than seven blocks to Phelps Ave. Officers located the suspect in the 200blk of Phelps Ave. The suspect, a 14 year old Kalamazoo resident, was arrested and charged for breaking and entering. The suspect was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home for breaking and entering.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994, Silent Observer at 343-2100 or report online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Sgt. Nathan Garnaat

Date: June 4, 2019

Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy, Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Captain Brad Misner, Criminal Investigation Division, 269-337-8139

Kalamazoo, Michigan: On Saturday, May 25, 2019, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers investigating suspicious activity in the 1500-block of Fox Ridge Dr. made contact with three subjects in a vehicle. During the subsequent investigation, a stolen, loaded .45 caliber handgun, and suspected crack cocaine and MDMA (Ecstasy) were seized. A 30-year-old Kalamazoo resident and two 22-year-old Kalamazoo residents were arrested and charged with crimes including carrying a concealed weapon, receiving and concealing stolen property, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute MDMA.

Later in the evening, at approximately 10:54 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the 800-block of Riverview Dr. for the report of shots fired. Officers stopped a vehicle identified as being involved and discovered three loaded 9mm handguns in the vehicle, including one that had been reported as stolen. A 36-year-old Kalamazoo resident and a 33-year-old Kalamazoo resident were arrested and charged with crimes including carrying a concealed weapon, receiving and concealing stolen property, and felony firearm.

Another suspect was located at a nearby residence, and a stolen, loaded .45 caliber handgun was recovered. This 24-year-old Kalamazoo resident was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon, receiving and concealing stolen property, and felony firearm.

No citizens, officers or suspects were injured during either of these incidents.

By authority of: Lieutenant Michael Skurski

Date: May 25, 2019

Address: 150 East Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Captain Brad Misner, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139

Shots fired, one person injured Kalamazoo, MI: On May 18, 2019 at approx.12:50 pm, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers were dispatched to the area of Lake St and Mills St for a report of shots fired. Officers checked the area, but did not locate any suspects or victims. Within a couple minutes, a male, transported in a private vehicle, arrived at Bronson ER with an apparent gunshot wound. The victim told investigating officers the location of the shooting, a business in the area. Officers checked that area and located evidence of the shooting. After speaking with witnesses and reviewing security camera footage, officers were also able to get a physical description of the suspect. He is described as a black male, about 30 years of age, with long braids or dread locks. He was wearing tan work boots, blue jeans, and a jean jacket with several colorful patches sewn on. The victim, a 57 year old Kalamazoo man, is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division at 337-8139 or Silent Observer at 343-2100

By authority of:

Sgt. Robert Holdwick

Date: May 18, 2019

Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: KDPS Criminal Investigations Division 269-337-8139