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Jan 2011
Dec 2010
Incident#:
9705-10
Incident Type:
Attempted larceny of Tires/Wheels/Scrap, possession of burglary tools
Date and Time:
December 30, 2010 at approximately 0400 a.m.
Location: Formula K
Manufacturing located at 58000 Deerhammer Pkwy Antwerp Twp. Van Buren
County.
Vehicle seized used by the suspect:
1999 GMC Pickup
Suspect: A 24 year
old Paw Paw township man was arrested on an unrelated charge. This subject is
a person of interest in relation to this on-going investigation.
Information:
Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports on 12-30-2010, at approximately 4:00am, deputies
responded to a 911 call from employees of the Formula K warehouse located at
58000 Deerhammer Industrial Drive in Paw Paw reporting a larceny in progress at
this location. Sheriff deputies assisted by Paw Paw and Lawton Police
departments responded to the scene.
On arrival, responding officers discovered a GMC pickup
behind the building and realized the suspect had run off apparently noting
officers approaching him. Deputies tracked the suspect until lost at Interstate
I-94.
Upon returning to the incident scene it was discovered
that the suspect had all ready loaded some property of Formula K into the cargo
area of his pickup truck. Deputies continued to investigate the scene and found
several tools, including gloves, hacksaws, bolt cutters and acetylene torch
set. The GMC pickup was impounded, as was the registered owner contacted later
in the day in regards to the incident.
During this follow-up investigation a person of
interest was developed and arrested on an unrelated charge. Property belonging
to the Formula K was returned to the business. Due to a recent break-in at this
place of business, employees of this company decided to stand watch during the
overnight hours for anyone else attempting to steal items from this site.
Employees did not confront the suspect in any manner, but immediately called 911
providing valuable information of the crime taking place to dispatchers who in
turn relayed information to responding police officers.
The investigative report is being forwarded to the
county prosecutor’s office for review.
Anyone with
information on this incident is asked to call the Van Buren county sheriff’s
office at 269-657-3101, SILENT OBSERVER....343-2100 or 866-774-2345
Submit
Silent Observer tips here,
CRIME STOPPERS......800-342-7867
Submit CrimeStoppers tips here or
the Michigan State Police Paw Paw post who is also working a similar incident
at this business at 269-675-5551.
Investigating Officers:
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office uniform response and follow-up division
Assisting agencies:
Michigan State Police Paw Paw post, Lawton and Paw Paw Police departments.
Contact persons: On
duty Sergeant, Dt/Lt William Lux,
email or Lt
Robert Kirk at 269-657-3101,
email
Incident No:
9410-10
Incident Type:
Possession of
Methamphetamine, Violation of Restricted License, No Insurance, Disobey Stop
Sign.
Location:
CR657 near Birmingham Court, Antwerp Twp., Van Buren County, State of
Michigan, 49071.
Date & Time: December 15,
2010 at 2009 hrs.
Suspect: 38 year old white
male. Name is being withheld pending arraignment.
Controlled Substance: 1 gram
of Methamphetamine was found on the suspect.
Arrest: Suspect was arrested
for Possession of Methamphetamine, Violation of Restricted License, & No
Insurance.
Citation Issued: Suspect was issued a
citation for Violation of a Restricted License, No Insurance, & Disobey a Stop
Sign.
Vehicle: Vehicle was a
silver 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Vehicle was impounded.
Information: Sheriff Dale R.
Gribler reports that on 12/15/2010 at 2009 hrs. deputy made a traffic stop on
a silver Jeep Cherokee for disobeying a stop sign.
Upon making contact with
the driver, the deputy noted that he was acting nervous and could not sit
still. Deputy asked the driver for his license, registration, & proof of
insurance. At which point, it was discovered that the driver had no valid
insurance and that he was also in violation of his restricted license.
The driver was arrested for the above offenses.
The driver was then transported to
the Van Buren County Jail, where he continued to act nervous and move
erratically. While being patted down in the jail, it was discover that the
driver had hid a small plastic baggy of methamphetamine on his person. Driver
admitted to deputies that the substance was methamphetamine and that he had
been using methamphetamine recently. He was lodged for possession of
methamphetamine, violation of his restricted license, & no insurance. He was
also issued a citation for disobeying the stop sign.
Investigating Officer: Deputy
Matthew Konkle, Van Buren County Sheriff's Office
Contact: On Duty Sergeant or
Lt. Robert Kirk, (269) 657-3101
email
Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
Aug 2010
Incident #:
5715-10
Incident Type:
Malicious
Destruction of Property (MDOP)
Date & Time of Incident:
August 2nd,
2010 at 0130 hrs.
Location of Incident:
Numerous
residences on 64th Ave. between CR 657 and 30th St, Antwerp Township
Suspect Information:
(2) 15 year
old males from Lawton, 13 year old male from Lawton, 12 year old male from
Battle Creek.
Narrative:
Sheriff
Dale R. Gribler reports that Deputies were dispatched to the 28000 block of 64th
Avenue to investigate MDOP to mailboxes.
Contact was made with the victims who advised that the
suspects ran to a house nearby. Deputies made contact with 4 juveniles who
confessed to destroying approximately 7 mailboxes with a baseball bat. Three of
the juveniles also confessed to destroying mailboxes in the same area over the
last few weeks.
The juveniles were turned over to their parents and the
report will be forwarded to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office for review.
Investigating
Officers:
Deputy Casey Davis, Deputy Travis Bernatche.
Contact:
Please contact the
on-duty Sergeant or Lt. Bob Kirk
email.
Jul 2010
Incident #:
5565-10.
Incident Type:
Possession of
marijuana with intent to deliver & operating under the influence of a
controlled substance.
Date and Time:
July 28, 2010 at
1310 hrs.
Location:
CR653 & 56th
Ave., Antwerp Twp., Van Buren Co., MI 49079.
Controlled Substances:
37.6
grams of marijuana & 1 pipe with marijuana residue.
Suspect:
25 year old male
subject. Name withheld pending arraignment.
Vehicle:
Blue 1996
Chevrolet Corsica, 4 Door.
Property Seized:
Seized was 37.6
grams of marijuana, 1 pipe with marijuana residue in it, $474.00 in cash, 1
vehicle-1996 Chevrolet Corsica 4 Door.
Arrest:
Subject was
arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver & OUID.
Citations Issued:
Citation was
issued for OUID and Fail to Maintain Equipment.
Information:
Sheriff Dale R.
Gribler reports that on 7-28-10 at 1310 pm, deputies made a stop on a blue
Chevrolet Corsica for defective equipment that being a broken windshield.
While interviewing the driver, deputies detected the
odor of intoxicants coming from both his person and the vehicle. After
standard field sobriety tests, deputies arrested the driver for OUID. Deputies
found in Plainview a marijuana pipe. An additional search of the vehicle found
37.6 grams of marijuana & $474.00 cash.
The suspect was arrested for OUID and possession of
marijuana with intent to deliver. He was lodged at the VBC jail for the
offenses.
Investigating Officers:
Deputy Matt
Konkle, Deputy Adam Bielang
Assisting
Deputies: Van
Buren County Narcotics Deputies
Contact Person:
On duty Sgt. or
Lt. Robert Kirk
email
Incident No: 5173-10
Incident Type:
Warrant Arrest
Date & Time:
July 15, 2010 at approx. 3:30 p.m.
Location:
31000
block 62nd Avenue, Lawton MI, Antwerp Township, Van Buren Co.
Suspect: Richard Lee Kirby, white male,
DOB 7/24/1977.
Warrant Info:
Misdemeanor
warrant for over $200-Less than $1000
out of Decatur PD.
Information:
Sheriff Dale R. Gribler states
the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic’s Unit was following up on a
report of meth lab dumpsites in the area of 31000 62nd Avenue, Lawton.
During contact, a resident complained that there was a
man, Richard Kirby, hiding in a bedroom closet. The resident requested
assistance in removing Kirby from the home.
After removing Kirby from the closet, Detectives
learned that Kirby had been in a home next door to a residence in Paw Paw, where
the VBC Narcotics Unit had executed a search warrant earlier in the day.
Detectives learned that Kirby had fled on foot from the home in Paw Paw when he
saw the Narcotics Units and marked patrol cars preparing to execute the search
warrant. Kirby admitted that he panicked and fled from the area, ending up at a
home of an acquaintance in Lawton, stating “The
Cops are after me.”
Kirby was allowed into the home where he promptly hid in the bedroom closet.
After about an hour, Detectives arrived in the Lawton
neighborhood following up on some meth lab dumpsites, which had been located and
picked up earlier in the week. Upon arrival, Kirby had already been hiding in
the closet for about one hour. After another hour of interviewing the neighbor,
the resident asked if we would remove the man hiding in their closet. Detectives
located Kirby hiding in a small bedroom closet underneath a pile of clothing.
He was completely drenched in sweat and was breathing very heavy and was found
with several scratches about his arms and abdomen, from his flight through the
woods. Kirby fled approximately 3-4 miles from the Paw Paw location to the
Lawton location on 62nd Ave. Kirby was not a suspect in either case, but was
arrested on an outstanding warrant for Larceny.
Anyone with
information relating to the meth lab dumpsites can contact the Van Buren
County Sheriff’s Office at (269) 657-3101, Crime Stoppers 1-800-342-7867,
Silent Observer (269) 343-2100 or your local Police Department.
Investigating Officers:
Van Buren County Sheriff’s
Office Narcotics Unit, Uniform
Response Division
Supervisor
Contact:
Bryan R. Stump D/Lt.,
Van Buren
County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, 205 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw, MI 49079.
Phone (269) 657-3101 Ext 208,
email
Jun 2010
May 2010
Apr 2010
Incident #:
2856-10
Date and Time:
April 28, 2010 at
approximately 3:00 a.m.
Incident Type:
Fugitive warrant and Resisting arrest.
Incident Location:
59252 S. Lagrave in Antwerp Twp.
Suspect:
Terry Allen Jones - date of birth, May 5, 1967
Warrant Info:
Terry Allen Jones had a Parole Absconder warrant from Lansing Tether Unit.
Narcotics:
Marijuana was located in the residence along with several other drug
paraphernalia items.
Information:
Sheriff Dale
Gribler reports that deputies proceeded to a residence in the 59000 block of
South Lagrave in Paw Paw in the attempt to pick up a wanted fugitive.
Deputies had developed information that the fugitive in
question was staying in back of a house in a camper. When the deputies
approached this camper, the wanted fugitive Terry Jones exited. Deputies
identified themselves as law enforcement officers and advised Terry Jones that
he was under arrest. Deputies attempts to handcuff this subject resulted in
Terry Jones pushing the Deputy away, then ran. Deputies gave chase and were able
to stop and arrest the suspect.
A search of the suspects residence, that being the
camper trailer he was living in, deputies discovered marijuana and other drug
paraphernalia
The suspect, Terry Jones was transported to the Van
Buren County Jail where he was lodged for Resisting an Officer, Possession of
Marijuana and the outstanding warrant.
Assisting agencies:
Paw Paw and Lawton Police departments.
Investigating Officer: Deputy
Casey Davis.
Contact Information:
On duty Sergeant or Lt Wm Lux at 269-657-3101,
email
Incident #:
2633-10
Incident Type:
ORV Crash
Date & Time of Incident:
April 19, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Location of Incident:
26th Street south of 60th Avenue, Antwerp Township.
Victim:
Jared
Stauffer, 41 year old male from Mattawan.
Injuries:
Head and shoulder injuries. Stauffer was transported to
Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Vehicle #1:
Yamaha 250 3-Wheeler.
Helmet worn:
A helmet was not worn by the driver of the ORV.
Alcohol:
Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
Criminal Charges or Traffic Citations issued:
The driver was cited for Operating an ORV on the Roadway and No
Helmet on an ORV.
Narrative:
Sheriff Dale
R. Gribler reports that Deputies were dispatched to 26th Street south of 60th
Avenue in Antwerp Township for an ORV crash.
Investigation at the scene revealed that Stauffer was
being towed on the ORV by a Chevy Trailblazer which was driven by his wife. The
pair were attempting to “jump start” the ORV by towing it behind the Trailblazer
and popping the clutch with the hope that the ORV would start. Their attempts
were unsuccessful and while being towed the ORV flipped and threw Stauffer to
the pavement. Stauffer was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
He was transported to Bronson Hospital in
Kalamazoo with injuries to his head and shoulder.
Assisting
Agencies:
Van Buren EMS, Mattawan Quick Response.
Investigating Officer:
Deputy Travis Bernatche,
Sgt. Scott Schmitt.
Contact Person:
On-duty sergeant or Lt.
William Lux at 269-657-3101,
email
Mar 2010
Incident #:
1679-10
Incident Type:
Possession
of Methamphetamine.
Date & Time of Incident:
March 14,
2010 at 6:40 PM.
Location of Incident:
31000 block
64th Ave, Antwerp Township.
Suspect Information:
1. James Kevin Harris,
45 year old male from Lawton.
2. 50 year old female from Lawton,
name to be released after arraignment.
Narrative:
Sheriff
Dale R. Gribler reports that were Deputies were contacted by employees at the
Speedway Gas Station in Paw Paw in reference to a suspicious package. The
employees reported that a customer found a small pouch in the parking lot and
turned it in to them.
Deputies checked the pouch and found several
individually packaged bags of methamphetamine. Deputies reviewed video footage
from Speedway and identified a suspect
as James Kevin Harris. Contact was made with
the suspect at his residence and he admitted to losing the meth while at the
Speedway.
The suspect, a 45 year old male from Lawton, was found
to be on Probation for operating and maintaining a lab involving
methamphetamine. The male suspect also had two prior meth-related convictions.
After obtaining a search warrant the
second suspect, a 50 year old female from Lawton was also arrested on possession
of meth charges after Deputies located additional meth at the residence.
Investigating
Deputies:
Deputy Casey Davis, Deputy Travis Bernatche, Sgt.
Scott Schmitt, Deputy Jim Charon.
Contact Person:
Sgt. Scott Schmitt or Lt.
William Lux at 269-657-3101,
email
Feb 2010
Update on
fatal accident
February 25, 2010
Memorandum
Determination
TO: VBSD
FROM: Juris Kaps,
Van Buren County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
COMPLAINT NO:
#09-007474
MEMO DATE:
February 17, 2010
Jan 2010
Incident #:
170-10
Incident Type:
Personal Injury 2 Vehicle Crash.
Date & Time of Incident:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at approx. 1705 hours.
Location of Incident:
Red Arrow Hwy. near 27th Street, Antwerp Twp.
Vehicle #1:
1998 Ford Ranger
Driver 1: Sean Patrick Killean, 41, Paw
Paw MI.
Injuries:
Minor cuts and bruises
Vehicle #2:
2003 Chevrolet Blazer
Driver 2: Diane Lauree Sokol, age 45, Paw
Paw MI.
Narrative:
Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that the Van Buren County Sheriff's
Office investigated a two vehicle head-on crash on Red Arrow Hwy. near 27th
street in Antwerp Twp. on 01-06-10 at 1705 hours.
#1 driver (Killean) was eastbound on Red Arrow Hwy
approaching 27th street and lost control on the snow covered roadway. #1 slid
across the centerline of Red Arrow Hwy. and hit #2 (Sokol), who was westbound,
head-on.
Both drivers were taken to Lakeview Hospital in Paw
Paw, and were treated and released for cuts and bruises. Airbags and seatbelts
were instrumental in preventing serious injury or death in this crash.
Both vehicles totaled in this crash.
Assisting Agency:
Mattawan Police Department.
Investigating Officer:
Deputy Charles Loughrin, can be contacted at 269-657-3101, ext
813,
email.
Contact Person:
On duty Road Sergeant, or Lt. William Lux can be reached at
269-657-3101, email.
Incident
No:
10-10027
Incident Type: Snowmobile
personal injury accident.
Date-Time:
January 1, 2010 at 2135 hrs
Location:
28,000 block 58th Avenue, Antwerp Township.
Victim-Driver:
Robyn Obrien, 38 yr old, Kalamazoo resident.
Information: Sheriff
Dale R Gribler reports that Van Buren County deputies were dispatched to a
private property snowmobile Personal Injury
accident in Antwerp Township.
Upon Deputies arrival, it was found that the 38 year
old female victim had just recently been taught how to operate a snowmobile. The
victim was stopped in the yard after receiving further operational
instructions, for an unknown reason, the victim accelerated at a high rate of
speed across the yard hitting a pole barn.
The victim was transported to Bronson Hospital in
Kalamazoo with serious injuries.
Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this accident
Investigating
Officers:
Deputies Tarner and Stasienko
Assisting
Agencies:
VBEMS and Mattawan QR
Dec 2009
Incident #
803019-09
Incident Type:
1.
Felony Warrant Arrest for Operating-Maintaining a Meth Lab
2.
Operating/Maintaining a Meth Lab
3. Possession of Meth
4. State Probation Violation
5. Possession of Marijuana
Date & Time of Incident:
Wednesday,
December 30th, 2009,
at approx. 2:20 P.M.
Location:
33555 56th Ave., Antwerp Township,
Van Buren County (VBC), State of Michigan. 
Suspect Information:
1) 31
year old male, David Craig Smead, from the Paw Paw area.
2) 44
year old male from the Paw Paw area who's name is being withheld at this time.
Injuries:
None
Weapons used:
None
Narrative:
Sheriff Dale R.
Gribler reported that on Wednesday, December 30th, at approx. 2:20 P.M.,
detectives assigned to VBC Narcotics Unit, along with uniformed officers from
the VBC Sheriffs Office and the Paw-Paw Police Department, went to 33555 56th
Ave. to attempt to locate David Craig Smead. Smead had a valid felony warrant
out of VBC for Operating/Maintaining a Meth Lab (Incident #802905-09) from a
previous incident which occurred at the same residence on September 15th, 2009.
Contact was made with Smead at the residence and 6
(six) Meth Labs, Marijuana, as well as numerous other items commonly used
in manufacturing meth, were located inside the residence during of the
investigation. During the investigation, officers also located a 44 year old
male, who was in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana hiding in a small
closet inside the residence.
Smead was arrested on the outstanding felony warrant
for Operating-Maintaining a Meth Lab. Smead was transported to the VBC Jail
where he was lodged on the warrant. If convicted, Smead could face up to 20
years in prison, $25,000.00 in fines, or both.
The 44 year old male who was found hiding was
also transported to the VBC Jail where he was lodged on a State Probation
Violation.
The Grand Rapids DEA was contacted and they dispatched
a hazardous materials cleanup company to the scene. Drug & Lab Disposal, out of
Plainwell, responded to the scene and performed clean up on the meth
labs/hazardous materials.
A report will be forwarded to the VBC Prosecutor's
Office requesting additional charges for both men who were involved.
Assisting Agencies: Paw
Paw Police Department, Van Buren Co. Uniform Response Division, Drug & Lab
Disposal of Plainwell, DEA of Grand Rapids.
Investigating Officers:
Van Buren County Sheriffs
Office Narcotics Unit
Supervisor Contact: D/Lt.
Bryan Stump can be contacted at 269-657-7711 or via
email.
Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Incident #:
8472-09
Incident Type:
Single vehicle rollover, personal injury crash.
Date and Time:
October 31, 2009
at approximately 8:25 a.m.
Location: I-94
westbound travel lanes near CR 653 located in Antwerp Township.
Driver #1:
William Graff a 82 year old man from Garden City Michigan.
Injuries:
Driver
did sustain injury to his left shoulder area. He was transported from
the scene by ambulance to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo for treatment.
Vehicle #1:
2008 Chevy Impala passenger car.
Seat Belt:
Was worn.
Information:
Sheriff Dale
R. Gribler reports that Van Buren County Sheriff Deputies, along
with
emergency responders were dispatched to I-94 westbound travel lanes near CR 653
for a report of a 1 vehicle rollover personal crash.
Emergency personnel on scene found the driver,
identified as 82 year old William Graff from Garden City Michigan, out of his
damaged vehicle and being attended to by passing motorist who had witnessed the
crash take place. William Graff, the only occupant in this vehicle, stated that
while he was westbound on I-94, a strong gust of wind pushed his vehicle to the
side, Graff stated in attempts to maintain control he overcorrected, lost
control and traveled off the north side of the road and into the ditch, which cause
his car to overturn twice.
Graff was transported by ambulance to Bronson Methodist
Hospital in Kalamazoo for treatment of injuries sustained in this traffic crash.
Emergency
responders did note during this time wind gusts were strong in the area.
Photos:
I 94 61 mile marker 001.jpg
I 94 61 mile marker 002.jpg
I 94 61 mile marker 003.jpg
Investigating Deputies:
Sergeant David Walker.
Assisting
personnel: Paw Paw Quick
Response Team, Van Buren EMS and Mattawan Village Police.
Supervisor contact:
On Duty Sergeant or Lt
William Lux at 269-657-3101 or
email.
Incident #:
8459-09
Incident Type:
Semi (tractor-trailer) rollover crash, temporary closure and detour of I-94
eastbound travel lanes.
Date and Time:
October
30, 2009
at 10:40 p.m.
Location:
I-94 eastbound
travel lanes near CR 653 located in Antwerp township.
Driver #1:
Ronald Baldwin,
a 43 year old man from Ionia Michigan.
Injuries: Driver uninjured.
Vehicle #1:
2007 Ken
Worth semi tractor unit, pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with
two 50,000 pound rolls of steel.
Seat Belt:
Was worn.
Information: Sheriff Dale R.
Gribler reports that Van Buren County Sheriff Deputies, along with additional
emergency services personnel, were dispatched to I-94 eastbound near CR 653 for a
report of a semi tractor trailer unit that had overturned on the highway.
Emergency responders on scene noted the driver, identified as 43 year old Ronald
Baldwin out of Ionia Michigan, out of his overturned rig and uninjured.
Deputies investigation into the crash found, from information provided by this driver,
that while he was traveling eastbound on I-94 the driver began to pass a slower
moving vehicle. During this pass, the trailer load shifted which caused the
truck to lose control and overturn.
The crash scene cleanup required heavy duty
wrecker equipment to remove the semi unit and its spilled load of steel from the
highway which required traffic to be detoured from this area for several hours.
Investigating
Deputies:
Deputy Loren Tarner.
Assisting personnel: Michigan State Police, Paw Paw and Mattawan
Police, Paw Paw Fire Department.
Supervisor contact:
On Duty Sergeant or Lt William Lux at
269-657-3101 or
email
Incident #:
8136-09
Incident Type: Meth
Lab.
Date & Time of Incident:
October 20, 2009
at 12:27 a.m.
Location of Incident:
29,000 block of Dennis Sweet Drive, Antwerp Township.
Suspect Information:
24 year old male from Lawton.
Narrative:
Sheriff
Dale R. Gribler reports that Deputies responded to the 29,000 block of Dennis
Sweet Drive in Antwerp Township after receiving a tip that there was possibly a
meth lab at this residence.
Upon arrival, Deputies made contact with the 24 year
old resident. After bringing the allegations of the meth lab to the attention
of the 24 year old resident, the suspect did admit to using marijuana prior to
the deputies arrival and that there may be meth in the shed. Deputies were
given consent to search the resident and the small shed in the backyard. After
Deputies gained consent, they did approach the shed in the backyard of the
residence and could smell a strong chemical odor coming from the shed. Deputies
were given a key for the lock on the shed. Upon opening the shed, it was
immediately evident that there was an active meth lad inside. Narcotics
Detectives were then contacted along with the fire department.
After further investigation, Deputies did discover an
active one pot methamphetamine lab along with components inside the shed.
The search of the house did turn up a small amount of
marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. Along with the 24 year old male, 2
juvenile females ages 5 and 2 were in the residence.
Assisting Agencies:
Deputies were assisted by the Van Buren Narcotics Division, Lawton Fire
Department, and Child Protective Services. The DAA from Grand Rapids was
contacted for clean up services.
Investigating Officer: Deputy Greg
Pentland and Deputy Travis Bernatche, can be contacted at 269-657-3101
Contact Person:
Please call the on duty sergeant at 269-657-3101.
Sep 2009
Update on
fatal accident
February 25, 2010
Memorandum Determination
TO: VBSD
FROM: Juris Kaps,
Van Buren
County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
COMPLAINT NO: #09-007474
MEMO DATE: February 17, 2010
From my review of Incident #09-007474, I have determined that this office will
not be authorizing any charges. Since the drivers involved in the initial
collision are deceased as a result of that collision, there would obviously be
no criminal charges. The other two accidents that involved police vehicles
do not rise to the level of reckless operation that would justify charges.
We expect officers responding to a reported life threatening situation to do so
in a rapid manner. Simply because an accident may occur doesn't mean that
they were negligent or criminally culpable. The statutes that deal with
operation of emergency vehicles, MCL 257.603 and MCL 257.632 are applicable to
my analysis. I don't believe that the facts of this case show a reckless
disregard for the safety of others.
It is not my position to determine whether these
officers were acting within the policies of their respective departments, and I
would leave that determination of their commanding officers.
Incident#:
7474-09
update
September 29, 2009.
Additional Information on the previous news
release issued by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.
Keith Charles Rapp was pronounced dead on Sunday,
September 26 at Bronson Methodist Hospital.
Brianne Shaver, 21 years old from Kalamazoo, advised
she was rending aid to the victim at the crash scene when the Paw Paw squad
car struck the victim’s vehicle. Shaver advised that her hand was hurt
during the incident. Shaver refused treatment at the scene.
On the night of the accident, the Paw Paw Police
Department squad car was responding to the accident scene to assist this
department. The responding officers from the Sheriff’s Office arrived
first. Shortly after their arrival, the Paw Paw police car responding went
to the south side of the Sheriff’s Office car and struck the left rear of
the Haas vehicle. The Paw Paw Police Officer was not injured. Also
responding was the Lawton Police Department who went to the north side of
the Sheriff’s Office car and ran off the road, striking a mailbox. The
Lawton Officer was not injured. Conditions at the time were that of smoke
and light rain. The Rapp vehicle was on fire upon arrival causing the smoke
which apparently made visibility very limited.
The Michigan State Police investigated the Lawton squad
car incident, Sgt. Jim Campbell from the Michigan State Police is conducting
the Accident Reconstruction investigation for the initial fatal accident and
also the Paw Paw squad car incident. An autopsy was being done on the
incident. An investigation on the entire incident is continuing along
with the Michigan State Police Reconstruction Unit, the Van Buren County
Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Office.
A Paw Paw Fire Department truck, also at the scene, was
damaged minimally while going around the accident scene, scraping the side
of the truck against a vehicle involved in the crash. The Sheriff’s Office
is handling this report also.
If additional information is needed, contact Lt.
William Lux, (269) 657-2006,
email, Sheriff
Dale Gribler, (269) 657-2006,
email.
Incident#:
7474-09
Incident Type:
Fatal Traffic Crash.
Date and Time:
September 26, 2009 at 1:43 AM.
Location:
Red Arrow Highway near 30th Street in Antwerp Township.
Driver#1:
Jeffrey James Haas, 23 years old, Decatur.
Injuries to #1:
Haas was pronounced dead at the scene by the Medical Examiner.
Vehicle #1:
1990 Ford Ranger.
Driver #2:
Keith Charles Rapp 37 years old, Kalamazoo.
Injuries to #2:
Rapp sustained serious injuries and was transported to Bronson Methodist
Hospital from the scene after being pryed out of his vehicle using hydraulic
tools to cut open his vehicle. He is currently at Bronson hospital and listed
in critical condition.
Vehicle #2:
1994 Chevrolet blazer.
Alcohol: It
is unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor and the accident is still
being investigated.
Information: Sheriff Dale R. Gribler
reports that Deputies were dispatched to a two car personal injury crash at
the location of Red Arrow Highway near 30th street in Antwerp Township.
Upon
arrival on scene, it was found that the Blazer was on fire and that Rapp was
trapped inside of the vehicle and still breathing. Deputies extinguished the
fire, and removed his face from inhaling toxic fumes from the fire. Rapp had
to be extricated from the vehicle by the use of hydraulic tools. Accident Reconstructionist Sergeant James Campbell from the Michigan State Police
responded to the scene and did reconstruct the accident. It is believed that
the blazer was traveling westbound on Red Arrow Highway and crossed the center
line and collided with the Ford Ranger which was eastbound, causing a major collision.
Haas was pronounced dead at the
scene of the accident and Rapp was transported to Bronson Hospital where he
is listed in critical condition.
Assisting Agencies:
Michigan State
Police, Lawton Police Department, Paw Paw Police Department, Paw Paw Fire
Department, VBEMS, Medical Examiner, Road Commission, Van Buren Victims
Advocates.
Investigating Deputies:
Deputy Stolsonburg and Deputy Coles
(269-657-3101).
Supervisor Contact:
On duty Sergeant or Lt. Lux (269-657-3101).
Incident #:
7173-09
Incident Type:
1. Warrant Arrest
2. Possession of Meth
3. Maintaining a Meth Lab
Date & Time of Incident:
Tuesday,
September 15, 2009,
at approx. 8:20 P.M.
Location of Incident:
33555 56th Ave., Antwerp Township, Van Buren County, State of MI.
Suspect Information:
Suspect #1: 21 year old female from the Paw Paw
area identified as Tristan Lynne Bittner.
Suspect #2: 31 y/o male from the Paw Paw area
whose name is being withheld pending criminal charges.
Warrant Information:
Tristan
Lynne Bittner had a Criminal Bench Warrant for Contempt of Court out of the 36th
Circuit Court, Paw Paw with a $1,000 cash bond.
A second warrant was entered today for Failure to Appear, 36th Circuit Court,
$1,000 bond.
Criminal Charges:
Case remains under
investigation. Prosecution will be requested for maintaining a meth lab upon
completion of the investigation.
Narrative:
Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports the arrest of Bittner on an
outstanding warrant.
Narcotic's Detectives received information indicating
that Bittner was cooking meth at 33555 56th Avenue, Paw Paw. Surveillance of the
residence found Bittner leaving the home. Bittner was arrested and found to be
in possession of a large quantity of pseudoephedrine tablets and a small amount
of suspected methamphetamine.
A search of the home at 33555 56th Avenue located all
the components necessary for cooking the pseudoephedrine. Investigation of the
scene led Detectives to believe that the home had been used for the manufacture
of methamphetamine.
D.E.A. Grand Rapids dispatched hazardous waste cleanup.
Drug and Lab Disposal out of Plainwell responded to the scene and disposed of
the lab waste.
Photos: P9150055.JPG
P9150066.JPG
Assisting Agency: Paw
Paw Police Department, Van Buren County Sheriff's Office Uniform Response, DEA
Grand Rapids.
Investigating Officer:
Detective Dan Perkins and Detective Ronald Douglas, can be
contacted at 269-657-8200 ext 3404.
Supervisor Contact:
D/Lt. Bryan Stump at 269-657-7711.
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
Incident#: 802790-09
Incident Type: Methamphetamine
Lab
Date: June
23, 2009
at approx. 6:00pm
Location:
28858 72nd Avenue, Antwerp Township, Van Buren County
Suspect: 51
yr old female, Lawton, MI
Charges:
Operate/Maintain lab involving Meth will be sought at a later date.
Information:
Sheriff Dale Gribler reports a Meth lab seizure at 28858 72nd Avenue, Lawton.
Detectives from the Van Buren County Sheriff's Narcotics Unit were notified by
the Lawton Police Department of possible Meth production at the Lawton home.
Investigation revealed evidence of Meth production in the basement area of the
home.
During the search, several components used in the manufacturing of
methamphetamine were seized both inside and outside of the home, along with
evidence of Meth use.
During the investigating of this case, it was determined that the
suspect was a licensed foster care mother caring for two small children, who
were currently in the custody of court out of Berrien County. Children's Protective Services of Van Buren County was called to
the scene to assist. The Case Worker assigned to the case removed the children
from the home pending relocation by Berrien County CPS.
Charges will be sought against the mother in this case for
Manufacturing Methamphetamine, a twenty year felony. Incident
remains under investigation and, once completed and the crime laboratory reports received,
it will be forwarded to the Van Buren County Prosecutors office for review.
Assisting Agencies:
Van Buren County Sheriff Uniform Response Division, Children Protective Services
Investigating Detectives:
Van Buren County Narcotics Unit
Supervisor Contact:
Bryan R. Stump D/Lt.
Click
here to send D/Lt. Stump an email.
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office
Narcotics Unit
205 S. Kalamazoo St.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
Phone (269) 657-3101 Ext 208
Fax (269) 657-5161
Incident #:
4193-09
Incident Type:
Two Vehicle
Traffic Crash with injuries.
Date & Time of Incident:
Tuesday,
June
9, 2009
at approximately 7:00 a.m.
Location of Incident:
Red Arrow Highway
just east of CR 653, Antwerp Township, Van Buren County, State of Michigan.
Vehicle #1 Driver:
31 year old,
Franklin Malmstrom, from Paw Paw.
Vehicle #1:
Malmstrom was
operating a 2002 Nissan Altima.
Vehicle #2 Driver:
59 year old,
James Harrington, from Paw Paw.
Vehicle #2:
Harrington was
operating a 1994 Mercury Sable.
Injuries:
Malmstrom suffered
a possible fractured leg, as well as other minor injuries, and was transported
to Bronson-Lake View Hospital by VBEMS Ambulance. Harrington suffered minor
injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene.
Hospital Information:
Malmstrom was
transported to Bronson-Lakeview Hospital Emergency Department, in Paw Paw.
Passengers:
No passengers in
either vehicle.
Seat Belts used:
Yes, in both
vehicles.
Is alcohol a factor?
Alcohol was not a
factor in the crash.
Traffic Citation Issued:
Malmstrom was
cited for traveling left of the center line.
Narrative:
Dale Sheriff R. Gribler reported that deputies responded to Red Arrow Hwy., just
east of CR 653, on Tuesday morning for the report of a traffic crash
with injuries. Deputies reported that Franklin Malmstrom was traveling EB on
Red Arrow Hwy. when he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel. Malmstrom's vehicle
subsequently crossed the center line and his vehicle collided with a vehicle
being driven by James Harrington. Malmstrom suffered a
possible fractured leg, as well as other minor injuries and was transported to
Bronson-Lake View Hospital by VBEMS Ambulance. Harrington suffered minor
injuries and refused medical treatment at the scene.
Assisting Agencies:
Paw Paw Quick
Response Team, Van Buren County Emergency Medical Services, Michigan State
Police-Paw Paw Post.
Investigating Officer:
Deputy
Kimberly A. Desch or Deputy Ronald L. Douglas can be contacted at 269-657-3101.
Contact Person:
Please call the on
duty sergeant at 269-657-3101.
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