Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

KDPS | City of Kalamazoo Police & Fire

Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: (269) 488-8911
General Information: (269) 337-8120

1300 S Westnedge Ave Robbery

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Kalamazoo, MI: On January 3, 2018 at approximately 6:20 pm, KDPS officers responded to the 1300 block of S. Westnedge for a report of a robbery. A female victim was in a parking area, exiting her vehicle, when a suspect came up behind her and indicated to her that he had a gun. The suspect then struck her in the head with a blunt object. The suspect took property from her and then fled the area on foot.

Officers searched and canvassed the area but were unable to locate the suspect. The female victim was treated for a minor injury. The suspect is described as a black male in his 20’s, approximately 6 foot tall, clean-shaven, wearing a puffy coat with a hood.

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 Lieutenant Craig Habel

Date: January 4, 2018
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Tanker Truck Rollover Accident

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**UPDATE**

The tanker truck has been removed and S. Westnedge is now open to traffic.

Kalamazoo, MI: On Wednesday, August 30th, 2017, at approximately 3:31 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to a report of a rollover accident involving a tanker truck in the area of S. Westnedge and Inkster. Upon arrival it was determined that three vehicles were involved, one of them being a tanker truck. One of the drivers suffered minor injuries and was treated by Life EMS on scene.

Witnesses on scene stated that one of the vehicles involved was heading south bound, crossed over the center line, and collided with the tanker truck. The tanker truck then began to roll and collided with a third vehicle. It does not appear alcohol or speed is a factor in the accident; however, the investigation is ongoing.

Both north and southbound lanes of S Westnedge near Inkster are closed. S Westnedge is expected to be closed for approximately 3-6 hours. Kalamazoo Public Safety urges drivers to seek an alternate route.

Kalamazoo Public Safety wants to assure the public that the tanker truck was transporting nonhazardous material and that there is no danger to the public.

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. Scott Boling

Date: August 30th, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Vernon Coakley, Operations Division, 337-8140

Two Car Traffic Crash

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On July 25, 2017, at approximately 11:12pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to a traffic accident between two vehicles in the 3000 block of South Westnedge Ave. On arrival, officers located a cargo van that had rolled over on its side with three occupants inside. Extrication equipment was used to free the three occupants of the van. One of the occupants of the van had a limb that became lodged between the metal frame and the undercarriage of the vehicle. The sole occupant of the other involved vehicle did not require extrication. Two passengers from the cargo van and one passenger from the other vehicle were transported to Bronson Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

One person, a 24 year old male, was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and an unrelated outstanding warrant for OWI. He was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail. Alcohol and speed are believed to be a factor in the crash.

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: Sgt Brian Boyer

Date: July 26, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Vernon Coakley, Operations Division, 337-8142

Breaking and Entering Suspects Apprehended

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Kalamazoo, MI: On 6-21-17, at approximately 4:54 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to 3938 S. Westnedge, T&T Pawn Brokers after receiving a burglary alarm. The first responding officer found that a vehicle had been used to intentionally ram the front of the building to expose the interior. The officer observed three subjects entering the business. While waiting for additional officers to arrive, two of the subjects exited and began fleeing. The officer chased one of the subjects to the 600 block of Denway where he attempted to enter a stolen vehicle. He and the driver of the vehicle were taken into custody.

The second subject fled northbound and was located by a perimeter unit as a police K9 was conducting a track. The third suspect fled the business as the officer was chasing the first two subjects and was not located. The vehicle that the suspects used to ram the front door was also found to be stolen from the Kalamazoo area.

The three suspects, 17, 18, and 23 years old, were arrested for Breaking & Entering, Resisting and Obstructing, UDAA and Conspiracy. All three were lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail.

This case remains under investigation, and anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

By authority of: Sgt Marc Rifenberg

Date: 6-21-17
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Criminal Investigations Division 337-8139

Fatal crash at Speedway gas station

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Kalamazoo, MI: On January 22, 2017, at about 7:17 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the report of fire at the Speedway Gas Station, 3908 S Westnedge Avenue. On arrival, officers found a gas pump on fire and an injured man. Officers were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Officers also tended to the injured man in coordination with LIFE Paramedics and an MSU 1 physician. This team of officers, paramedics and physician provided care on scene until transporting the injured man to Bronson Hospital.

The investigation showed that the victim’s injuries were the result of a traffic crash. The victim was pumping gas when a vehicle crashed into him and a gas pump. The vehicle was driven by a 74 year old female resident of Mattawan. The crash injured the man and started a fire. A witness pulled the injured man from the fire to a safe location. Dispatch received multiple calls and immediately dispatched all necessary resources. The first units were on scene within minutes of being dispatched.

Unfortunately, the injured man, Michael Seyoum a 53 year old Kalmazoo resident, succumbed to injuries. Kalamazoo Public Safety extends our heartfelt condolences to the Seyoum family in this time of mourning.

This incident remains under investigation. No arrests have been made. Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be a factor in this crash.

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: January 22, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139

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150 E Crosstown Pkwy, Suite A
Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: (269) 488-8911
General Information: (269) 337-8120

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