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

Suspect Arrested After Crashing Stolen Car Into Building

March 28, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

On March, 28, 2017, around 1:37 PM, two Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers observed a stolen vehicle being driven in the area of Burdick and Lake St. The officers and the stolen vehicle were driving in opposite directions. As the officers were turning around to stop the stolen vehicle, the vehicle drove at a high rate of speed north on Burdick St. The driver of the vehicle then lost control and crashed into a business in the 400 block of S Burdick. The officers were not able to get close enough to the stolen vehicle to turn on their emergency lights. When the vehicle crashed it severed a gas meter attached to the building. The driver of the stolen vehicle was an 18 year old male. The driver fled on foot after crashing and was captured after a brief foot pursuit in the 400 block of S Rose St.

Due to the gas leak Public Safety Fire Apparatus responded to the scene. The adjacent businesses were evacuated and the area was closed off to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until the scene could be rendered safe.

The 18 year old suspect was arrested for hit and run, resisting and obstructing and possession of a stolen automobile.

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 Anthony Morgan

Date: March 28,2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Leadbetter, Criminal Investigation Division, 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

Man Robbed and Shot with Pellet Gun

September 1, 2016 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On Thursday, September 01, 2016, at approximately 3:30 A.M., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to the area of Dutton and Burdick regarding a man shot in the face. The victim advised that several juveniles attempted to rob him and then shot him in the face. It was later discovered that he had been shot several times with a pellet gun.

No suspects have been identified. The victim was treated and released.

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: September 01, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Home invasion suspect arrested

August 10, 2016 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On 8-10-16 Officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to the 3000 block of S. Burdick Street regarding a home invasion in progress.

At approximately 4:15 AM, a concerned neighbor called 911 to report a suspicious subject walking behind an apartment. As the caller was on the line they advised that the subject had broken out a window and entered an apartment.

Officers responded and, upon arrival, quickly spotted the suspect carrying a large TV outside of the apartment. The suspect was then taken into custody. The 45 year-old Kalamazoo man was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail for Home Invasion.

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident, or other criminal activity, is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100, www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.

By authority of: Lt. Craig Habel

Date: 8-10-16
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Vic Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division 337-8139