Loaded gun recovered during traffic stop

March 8, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, Michigan: On Tuesday, March 07, 2017, at approximately 3:00 P.M., a Kalamazoo Public Safety officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 1000 block of Reed Ave. for a traffic violation. The vehicle pulled into a driveway, where the officer made contact with the driver. The officer immediately smelled the odor of marijuana and asked the driver to step from the vehicle.

As the driver exited the vehicle, he grabbed ahold of a heavy object in the pocket of his sweatshirt. Concerned the driver was armed, the officer grabbed hold of the driver’s arm and asked what was in the sweatshirt. The driver stated it was a gun, and began struggling with the officer. The struggle continued until a second officer arrived, and the suspect was taken into custody.

A loaded 9mm handgun, along with a second full magazine, methamphetamine, and marijuana were recovered from the driver during the subsequent investigation. Neither the driver nor the officers were injured during the struggle.

The suspect is a 24-year-old male who resides in Kalamazoo. His name is being withheld pending arraignment. The suspect was arrested for Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Resisting and Obstructing, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Marijuana.

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 Michael Skurski

Date: March 8, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Search warrant execution results in meth seizure

January 16, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On Thursday January 12, 2017, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Kalamazoo Pubic Safety Officers responded to the area of 1200 Blakeslee Street to execute a narcotics search warrant. This search warrant was the result of an investigation by a KDPS patrol officer. The officer assigned to the neighborhood noticed unusual amounts of vehicle traffic coming and going from a residence in the 1200 block of Blakeslee Street. Upon investigating further it was determined that drug trafficking was occurring at the residence. Today, a search warrant was executed resulting in the seizure of marijuana, meth, and a meth lab.

As a result of this investigation charges are being sought against a 22 year old Kalamazoo woman for Operating/Maintaining a Meth Lab, Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, and Maintaining a Drug House. Additional charges of Possession of Meth are also being sought against a 25 year old Kalamazoo woman and a 24 year old Kalamazoo man.

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety would like to use this incident as an example of the community-police partnership we share. Through this ongoing partnership we as a community will continue to reduce crime, build and maintain trust, and provide the most efficient, effective, and professional public safety services available.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Sgt. Derrick Turner

Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Investigation leads to crack cocaine, crystal meth, and heroine

December 28, 2016 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: Friday, December 23, 2016 at approximately 3:30 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Slenk was on routine patrol when he came across a single car accident in the area of Sheldon/2nd Street. The driver, a Kalamazoo area resident on parole, saw PSO Slenk and took off running. After a lengthy foot pursuit, the subject was taken into custody with the assistance of a citizen who was passing by. Once in custody, a quantity of powder cocaine; crack cocaine; crystal meth; heroine; and a scale was seized. The suspect was lodged on numerous charges.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Sgt. Gretchen Mayo

Date: Friday, December 23, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

KVET investigators seize two pounds of methamphetamine

November 1, 2016 by Spencer Bridges

Oshtemo Township, MI: On the morning of 11/1/16, Investigators from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team received a tip that a male was transporting a large amount of Methamphetamine “Ice” into Kalamazoo from Arizona. KVET Investigators conducted an investigation that led to a search warrant on the suspect’s motel room. During the search, approximately two pounds of methamphetamine “ice” was seized from the suspect’s luggage.

The suspect, 48 year old Arizona man, was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.

Anyone with information regarding illegal drugs or firearms activity is urged to contact KVET at 269-337-8880, or report an anonymous tip to Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Sergeant Mike Ferguson

Date: 11/1/16
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Capt. David Boysen, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team, 269-337-8880

Traffic stop leads to drug arrests

October 28, 2016 by Spencer Bridges

On October 28, 2016, around 2:27p.m., a Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer was on patrol in the area of Westnedge and Paterson. The officer could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from a vehicle in the intersection. A traffic stop was conducted on that vehicle in the 300blk of W Paterson. After making contact with the occupants of the vehicle, a digital scale and controlled substances to include heroin, marijuana and crystal methamphetamine were located in the vehicle. At the conclusion of the investigation both the driver and front seat passenger were arrested. The driver a 32 year old male Kalamazoo resident was arrested for possession with intent to deliver heroin, marijuana and crystal methamphetamine. The front seat passenger a 22 year old male Kalamazoo resident was arrested on 3 outstanding warrants, possession with intent to deliver heroin, marijuana and crystal methamphetamine.

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 Anthony Morgan

Date: October 28, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigation Division, 337-8139