Kalamazoo Woman Carjacked

January 9, 2018 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On Tuesday January 9, 2018 at 8:21 a.m. an unidentified male approached a Kalamazoo woman in the 700 block of Wheaton Ave. while she was sitting in her vehicle. The man indicated he was armed with pistol and demanded she get out of the car and lie on the ground. The man stole the vehicle but lost control as he exited the driveway and crashed into a snow bank. The suspect stole property from inside the car and ran northeast from the scene. Numerous officers responded to the area and K9 track was attempted. Police were able to recover the stolen property in the 600 block of Minor St. but the suspect was not located. The victim was not injured during the incident.

The suspect is described as a black male in his twenties, approximately six feet tall, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt. The suspect has a light complexion with prominent freckles on his face.

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. Jason Hendrick

Date: January 9, 2018
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Carjacking Suspect Arrested

May 4, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

On May 3rd 2017, at approx. 10:54pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the area of Riverview and Gull for a report of a carjacking that had just occurred. The female victim reported that she was driving her car when her male passenger assaulted her, forced her from the vehicle, and then stole the vehicle from her.

Thanks to information provided by an alert citizen, Kalamazoo Township and Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers located the stolen vehicle, and the suspect, within 30 minutes in the 1000 block of Darwood Ave, in Kalamazoo Township. The suspect, a 31 year old man from Inkster, MI, was arrested and charged with carjacking, operating while intoxicated, resisting and obstructing officers, and possession of marijuana.

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: 5/4/17
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter of CID at 269-337-8139

Carjacking leads to three arrests

March 20, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

KALAMAZOO, MI: On March 17, 2017, at about 10:47 pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers were dispatched to the 500 block of S Burdick Street regarding a carjacking. The victims reported being approached by a female followed by two males. One male demanded property while another threatened to shoot them. These suspects took property including a set of car keys. All three suspects then got into the victim’s vehicle and left the area. The victims, two males, were uninjured.

About 5 minutes later, a public safety sergeant located the vehicle heading south on S Westnedge Avenue. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but it fled. At one point, the suspects rammed a Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s vehicle and then a Public Safety vehicle. Officers were not injured and the pursuit continued. A short time later, the vehicle crashed at the dead end of Peekstock Road.

The driver fled on foot and was caught after a public safety K9 tracked him a short distance. The other two suspects also fled on foot, were pursued by officers, and were arrested a short distance from the vehicle. During this foot chase an officer sustained a minor injury. Unfortunately, the victim’s vehicle caught on fire becoming fully involved. An Engine was dispatched and the flames were extinguished. The vehicle appears to be a total loss. Other stolen property was recovered and returned to the victims.

The suspects: an 18 year old male resident of Kalamazoo was arrested for Carjacking, Conspiracy, Fleeing and Eluding, and Resisting and Obstructing; a 19 year old male resident of Kalamazoo was arrested for Carjacking, Conspiracy, Resisting and Obstructing, and two unrelated warrants; and a 21 year old female resident of Grand Rapids was arrested for Carjacking, Conspiracy, Resisting and Obstructing, and an unrelated warrant. All suspects were lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail.

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: March 18, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139

Suspect arrested after carjacking

March 6, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On Saturday, March 04, 2017, at approximately 8:30 P.M., Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to an armed carjacking in the 900 block of W. Kalamazoo. The suspect was not located but a description of the suspect and the stolen vehicle was distributed to area law enforcement agencies.

At approximately 1:00 A.M. on Sunday, March 05, 2017, a Kalamazoo Public Safety Sergeant observed the stolen vehicle traveling East on Paterson near Burdick. The vehicle fled when a traffic stop was initiated. The pursuit was terminated after the suspect began driving against traffic. Almost immediately after the pursuit was terminated, the suspect slowed down, jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot. The suspect was apprehended a short time later without further incident.

Nobody was injured during the carjacking or subsequent pursuit.

The suspect is a 20 year old male who resides in Kalamazoo. His name is being withheld pending arraignment. The suspect was arrested for possession of a stolen auto, fleeing and eluding, and resisting and obstructing. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be sought.

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. Lance Handlogten

Date: March 05, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139