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

Date:  5/15/19

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

Contact:  Captain Matt Huber, KDPS Operations 

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Battles Church Fire

Kalamazoo, MI: 

On May 15, 2019, at approximately 1:30 pm Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers were dispatched to the report of a fire in the 400 block of Phelps Avenue.  The plume of smoke from the fire could be seen across the Kalamazoo Valley.  Officers arrived and advised that there was heavy smoke and flames showing from the church building.  Within minutes, the roof of the building collapsed, as well as some of the cinderblock walls.

A total of 25 public safety officers with 4 different fire apparatus battled the fire for approximately 4 hours. Heavy equipment also had to be brought in to access hot spots within the remains of the building. Unfortunately, the building and contents are a total loss.  A neighboring house also had extensive damage to its siding from the extreme heat of the fire. 

Fortunately the building was empty at the time of fire, and no firefighters were injured during fire ground operations.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Fire Marshal’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. 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.

By authority of: Lt. Timothy Loso

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