E Cork St Death Investigation

November 8, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

On November 08, 2017, at approximately 5:49am, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to a rescue call in the 1400 Block of E. Cork. On arrival officers located a male subject who was deceased. Kalamazoo Public Safety Detectives along with the Medical Examiner are currently on scene investigating to determine the cause of death.

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.

Authority: Lt Michael Kelley

Date: November 08, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Criminal Investigation Division, 337-8139

E Cork St Armed Robbery

October 8, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

Update: On October 7th, Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to 2020 E. Cork St, Sunny Mart, on a report of an Armed Robbery. Three suspects entered the establishment brandishing handguns, demanding money. One clerk was assaulted during the altercation. All three suspects fled the scene before officers arrived.

Since the crime occurred, Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division, Investigators from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team/COPS Division, and agents from Kalamazoo Probation and Parole worked as a team to identify suspects involved in this crime. Two of those suspects were arrested late yesterday afternoon, and are now being charged with the Armed Robbery.

Detectives were able to gather information regarding a 16 year old juvenile as one of the suspects involved. Detectives located the 16 year old Kalamazoo resident in an apartment on the west side of Kalamazoo. Also found with the juvenile was a loaded handgun and suspected marijuana. The juvenile was lodged at the Kalamazoo Juvenile Detention Center for Armed Robbery, CCW, Felony Firearm, and separate charges for the handgun and marijuana located when Detectives made contact with him.

The second suspect was located by Investigators from KVET/COPS Division. The 20 year old Kalamazoo resident was recently paroled for a previous Armed Robbery. Investigators conducted a search warrant where the suspect was located. Located inside the apartment was a .40 caliber handgun, ammunition, and body armor, all of which were used in the Armed Robbery. The suspect is currently lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on charges of Armed Robbery, Felony Firearm, CCW, Felon in Possession, Felonious Assault, Possession of Body Armor, and a Parole Warrant.

Kalamazoo Public Safety is still actively investigating this crime in attempts to locate and identify the third suspect involved. 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 Ex. Lt. Brad Misner

Date: October 12th, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Kalamazoo, MI: On October 7, 2017 at approximately 10:06 p.m. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officers responded to 2020 E. Cork, the Sunny Mart, for a report of an armed robbery.

Three suspects entered the business brandishing handguns. A suspect struck a clerk and ordered him to the floor while a second suspect stole money from the cash register. The suspects then exited the store, and fled on foot. A police K9 conducted a track of the suspects, but they were not located.

The suspects were captured on surveillance camera footage and described as follows:

One suspect was a black male, and the other two were white or light-skinned males. All three were between approximately 5’8”- 6’0”. The black male suspect was wearing a dark-colored sleeveless shirt. The second suspect was wearing a long sleeve dark-colored Adidas brand hooded sweatshirt. The third suspect was wearing a long-sleeve dark-colored hooded sweatshirt. All three had bandanas covering their faces and all three were brandishing semiautomatic handguns.

Public Safety is requesting anyone with information about this crime to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994, the Criminal Investigation Division at 337-8139, or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

Authority of Sergeant Michael Skurski

Date: October 8, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Fatal Traffic Crash Under Investigation

June 11, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

***Update***

On June 11th, 2017, Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to a fatal traffic crash at the intersection of S. Burdick and Cork St. The 27 year old driver has been identified as Travis Wiley Gates from Portage, MI. Mr. Gates was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is still under investigation and the results from the autopsy performed will not be known for approximately 6-8 weeks. Kalamazoo Public Safety would like to extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Gates.

Authority: Ex. Lt. Brad Misner

On June, 11, 2017, at approximately 12:08pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to a personal injury traffic crash at the intersection of Cork and S. Burdick. On arrival officers located a three vehicle crash in the intersection and three injured adults. Lives saving efforts were started immediately on all three people, but one passed away at the scene. The two other victims were transported to Bronson Hospital with critical and serious injuries. Through the initial investigation it is believed one vehicle was North bound on S. Burdick at Cork when the driver disregarded a traffic control device. Upon entering the intersection this vehicle struck two other vehicles that were East and West bound. Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash which is currently being investigated.

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

Authority: Lt Michael Kelley

Date: June 11, 2017, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Criminal Investigation Division, 337-8139

Home invasion arrest leads to the recovery of firearm

March 18, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On March 18, 2017, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) officers were dispatched to the 2500 block of E Cork St regarding a robbery in progress. KDPS dispatchers advised that the suspect used a handgun during the incident and fled the scene. Officers set up a perimeter and made contact with the victims to gather additional information.

Kalamazoo Public Safety officers were familiar with the suspects in the case and searched the area surrounding the Edison neighborhood. Kalamazoo Public Safety officers located both suspects on a porch in the 1400 block of Lay Blvd. They were both taken into custody without incident or injury. Consent was given to search the porch however the firearm was not located.

Kalamazoo Public Safety officers gathered information from interviews and retraced the steps of the suspects. Officers utilized a Kalamazoo Public Safety K-9 and searched the 2200 block of Miller Rd (Hays Park). The K-9 tracked the suspects and located a loaded .22 caliber handgun in the wooded area around Hays Park. The details surrounding the firearm are still being investigated.

The suspects, a 19 year old Kalamazoo resident and a 17 year old Kalamazoo resident, were arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail and will face charges of Home Invasion and CCW.

Anyone having 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. Justin Wonders

Date: March 18, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Man arrested for assault causing great bodily harm

February 16, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On 2-14-2017 Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers made contact with a 38 year old assault victim at Bronson Hospital. The victim had been viciously beaten in the parking lot of a business in the 100 block of E. Cork at approximately 6 p.m. The victim stated a 49 year old male and 40 year old female acquaintance assaulted her over an outstanding money debt. The male had punched the female in the face multiple times, causing facial fractures and requiring brief hospitalization.

During the investigation, it was learned the male and female suspect live together in the 100 block of Allen Street. Officers responded to the suspect’s home and he refused to answer the door. The male suspect has an extensive history of violent crime involving weapons and was known to carry a gun. Based on his past criminal history and access to weapons, the Kalamazoo Metro Tactical Team was activated to serve a search warrant at the suspects address. During service of the warrant, the male suspect exited the house and was taken into custody without incident. The second female suspect was not located inside. During the search of the home, a firearm was located inside of the residence.

The male suspect was arrested for Assault with Intent to cause Great Bodily Harm and was lodged at Kalamazoo County Jail. A warrant is being sought for the female suspect for simple assault.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who may have information pertaining to it, is asked to call Public Safety @ 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt. Sean Gordon

Date: February 16, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139