House Fire at 2200 Regent St

December 20, 2017 by Jon Thurn

KALAMAZOO, MI: On December 20, 2017, at about 1145 AM, Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to the 2200 block of Regent Street for a house fire. Arriving officers found a single story, residential home with smoke coming from all sides. Officers learned that all the residents had evacuated. Officers initiated a simultaneous interior and exterior fire attack. Fire was found in the living room and attic areas. The bulk of the fire was extinguished quickly. Overhaul required officers to pull ceiling to find the last of the burning material.

Fire Marshall Jim Williams investigated the cause of the fire. He determined that the fire was electrical. The residents had stapled Christmas lights to the wall damaging the outer jacket of the cord. The fire quickly spread to the Christmas Tree and then to the attic. Additionally, residents delayed calling 911 to try and put the fire out by themselves. Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of the fire.

The fire is not considered suspicious and the investigation is closed by the Fire Marshall.

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

Authority: Lt. Diaz
Date: December 20, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139

Home Invasion Suspect Arrested After a Pursuit

September 13, 2017 by Jon Thurn

Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers were dispatched to the report of a domestic where the suspect threatened the victim with a gun. Officers located the suspect’s vehicle leaving the 1300 block of Fox Ridge and attempted to stop the vehicle. The suspect fled in his vehicle leading police on a chase lasting about 18 minutes. Eventually the suspect came to a stop and was arrested without incident.

During the investigation, officers recovered a loaded 40 caliber handgun and an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. The suspect, a 27 year old resident of Kalamazoo, was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on charges including Home Invasion, Operating While Intoxicated, CCW-Auto, Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated, and Fleeing and Eluding.

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. Diaz
Date: September 11, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Bagley, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Single car crash, drugs/gun found

April 27, 2017 by Jon Thurn

Kalamazoo, MI: On April 27, 2017, around 12:51 A.M., KDPS officers responded to the 200 block of N Rose St. for a report of a single motor vehicle crash. Responding officers arrived to find that a vehicle had driven onto the median, knocked over a large tree, and came to rest on top of that tree.

A search of the vehicle revealed drugs and a stolen firearm. The male driver, a 40-year-old Kalamazoo resident, was taken to Borgess hospital for minor injuries. After being cleared by medical staff, he was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail for carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a stolen weapon, and operating under the influence of drugs.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100

By authority of: Sgt. Robert Holdwick
Date: 4/27/17
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter of CID at 269-337-8139

Home Invasion and Arson

April 27, 2017 by Jon Thurn

Kalamazoo, MI: On Tuesday April 25, 2017, at approximately 6:46 pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to a report of a house fire in the 3400 block of Knox St. The information further stated that the fire was potentially set during a home invasion at the residence.

After arriving on scene it was determined that three unknown males, one of which was armed with a knife, attempted to force their way into the back door. The resident was not home during the incident but a guest who was visiting at the time, attempted to barricade the door to prevent the suspects from entering. The suspects then ignited a fire inside the enclosed back porch using an accelerant. When the suspects began breaking through the front door the subject fled out the back door and began running from the residence.

All three suspects were seen leaving the scene in an older model black sedan. The residence was targeted due to a recent dispute between the victim and the suspects. The fire was extinguished by the occupant using a garden hose and there was minimal damage to the residence.

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: Sgt. Marc Rifenberg
Date: April 25, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8319

UPDATE

On 4-26-17 around 2:08am, a Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer spotted the black sedan in the area of Howard and Crosstown. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle in the 1900blk of South Westnedge. The vehicle was occupied by 3 males. Evidence from the home invasion was discovered in the vehicle along with several ounces of marijuana. A 26 year old Kalamazoo resident was arrested on several charges to include home invasion and arson. The investigation into the identity of the other 2 suspects from the home invasion is ongoing.

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. Anthony Morgan

X-Train Enforcement

April 24, 2017 by Jon Thurn

Kalamazoo, MI: On Saturday, April 22^nd, 2017, Kalamazoo Public Safety officers addressed neighborhood concerns of cruising also known as the X-Train. Public Safety was assisted by deputies from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s office and troopers from the Michigan State Police.

During the enforcement activities, officers arrested twenty people on a total of twenty-two criminal charges. The charges included multiple misdemeanor traffic offenses, fleeing and eluding, operating while intoxicated, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of cocaine, and resisting and obstructing arrest. In addition to the criminal charges, seven warrant arrests were made. As a result of the arrests, ten vehicles that were participating in the X-Train were towed and impounded.

Public Safety would like to remind residents that we will be continuing strict enforcement in order to address neighborhood concerns regarding this type of activity. Through this enforcement, it is our hope to deter this type of activity that adversely impacts the quality of life for area residents. Kalamazoo Public Safety appreciates the continued support and patience of those affected by this type of disruption.

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: April 23^rd, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain David Boysen, Community Outreach and Problem Solving Division, 337-8880