Traffic Stop Leads to Drug and Handgun Seizure

July 17, 2017 by Spencer Bridges

On July 15, 2017 at about 2000 hours, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers Andrew Werkema and Gregory Day conducted a traffic stop of a motor vehicle stemming from suspicious activity observed in the 1000 block of Clarence.

Upon contact with the vehicle’s occupants officers detected the presence of narcotics in the vehicle and a search was conducted. Inside of the vehicle officers located an amount of marijuana and a loaded handgun.

The operator of the vehicle, a 23 year old Kalamazoo resident was arrested for possession of marijuana and carrying a concealed weapon as well as two unrelated warrants.

The subject is currently being held at the Kalamazoo County Jail awaiting arraignment.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8139 or Silent Observed at 343-2100.

Authority: Sgt. Charles Treppa

Date: July 15, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Shannon Bagley, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139

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

Traffic stop leads to recovery of drugs and a firearm

November 14, 2016 by Spencer Bridges

On November 14, 2016 at approximately 0030 hours Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Sean Szekely conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near S. Rose Street near Wall Street. During the investigation a backseat passenger was found to have cocaine on his person. Lying on the floor near where the backseat passenger was sitting was a loaded 9mm handgun that was stolen out of Kalamazoo County. The 22 year old Kalamazoo male was arrested for Possession of Cocaine, CCW, Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Felony Firearm.

The driver of the vehicle initially lied to officers about his name. When officers learned the driver’s real identity he was found to have 9 outstanding warrants for his arrest. The driver, a 21 year old male from Battle Creek was arrested on the 9 outstanding warrants, CCW, Felony Firearm, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated, Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, and Obstruction by Disguise.

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. Aaron Wiedbrauk

Date: November 14, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety CID, 337-8139

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

Traffic stop leads to drug dealer’s arrest

October 21, 2016 by Spencer Bridges

On October 20th 2016 at about 1930 hours, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Brett Bylsma conducted a traffic stop in the area of Cobb and Mabel. During this stop a 49 year old resident of Plainwell was contacted and found to be in possession of crack cocaine. After this traffic stop Officer Bylsma continued his investigation into this matter and was able to determine who supplied the crack cocaine to the initial suspect.

The crack cocaine dealer, a 27 year old resident of Kalamazoo was contacted a short time later and arrested in the 1100 block of Douglas. The suspect was found to be in possession of a digital scale and an additional quantity of crack cocaine (pictured below).

This subject is currently being held at the Kalamazoo County Jail awaiting arraignment.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8139 or Silent Observed at 343-2100.

Authority: Sgt. Charles Treppa

Date: October 21st 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Victor Ledbetter, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139