Click here for other contact numbers                Dispatch:  269-657-3101       Admin:  269-657-2006      Jail Information:  269-657-2171

Sheriff Reports - Multiple Locations in Van Buren County

Almena Twp   Antwerp Twp   Arlington Twp   Bangor Twp   Bloomingdale Twp  Breedsville Vill 
City of Hartford   City of Gobles   Columbia Twp   Covert Twp   Decatur Twp   Decatur Vill   Geneva Twp   Hamilton Twp   Hartford Twp   Keeler Twp   Kendall   Lawrence Twp 
 Lawrence Vill  Lawton Vill  Mattawan Vill  Paw Paw Twp   Paw Paw Vill   Pine Grove Twp   Porter Twp   Sister Lakes   South Haven Twp   Waverly Twp   Multiple Locations

2010 Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2009 Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec

Click on blue underlined links for more information.

Mar 2010

Incident No:   10-800117  Multiple
Incident Type:  Narcotic’s Warrant Arrests & Search Warrant.
Date:  March 24, 2010.
Location:  Covert Township & City of Hartford, Van Buren County.

Information:  Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, Covert Township Police Department, along with the DEA out of Grand Rapids Michigan have conducted a long term investigation into the sales and distribution of controlled substances in the Covert and Hartford communities.
     The investigations have resulted in the issuance of arrest warrants for the listed suspects. The investigations were for the sale and distribution of cocaine (“Rock”) and what was represented to be Heroin. Another suspect was indicted by the DEA a few weeks prior and is in Federal custody awaiting trial.
     A search warrant was also executed at 520 S Center Street Apt-B13, Hartford Michigan. This warrant was issued after the sale of cocaine from this location. Cocaine residue, small amount of marijuana, scales, and currency was seized from this apartment along with the arrest of BECKHAM.
     All of the arrested suspects were lodged in the Van Buren County Jail pending arraignment in the 7th District Court of Michigan. All of the suspects have multiple delivery cases pending court action.  

Pending Drug Charges:  The 23 year old female from the search warrant in Hartford was taken into custody for delivery of cocaine and possession of marijuana. Name withheld pending arraignment. 

Arrested:

1)  Teywon Terrell Beckham, age 27

           (Hartford Search Warrant)
      520 S. Center Street, Hartford Michigan.
    One Count Delivery-Manufacture Cocaine
   $10,000 cash

2)   

      2) Shondel Solomon Newell, age 32
 

   One Count Imitation Manufacture or Distribution
$10,000 cash

 

3)   Charles Curtis Brown, age 58

 

One Count Imitation Manufacture or Distribution
$3,000 cash

4)   

  
4)  David Carlton Hyler, age 54
    

             
   One Count Delivery/Manufacture Cocaine
                          $15,000 cash

5)   Simona Robin Smith, age 28

    
One Count Imitation Manufacture or Distribution
$10,000 cash

 
6)   Raymond Joseph Freeman, age 51,
    

One Count Delivery/Manufacture Cocaine
$25,000 cash

7)   Shaun Pierre GILL, age 39,

     

One Count Delivery/Manufacture Cocaine
$3,000 cash

Assisting Agencies:: Covert Township Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Grand Rapids MI, Van Buren County Uniform Response, Van Buren County Narcotic’s.

Anyone with information 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.

Contact:  On duty supervisor, Bryan R. Stump, D/Lieutenant, Office (269) 657-3101 x 208, Fax (269) 657-5160, Tri-Net Office (269) 657-8296, or via email.
 

Feb 2010

Incident #:  906 -10
Incident Type:  Personal Injury Crash.
Date and Time:  February 9, 2010 at approximately 0800 hrs.
Location of Incident:   I-94 Eastbound at 58 Mile Marker, between Decatur and Paw Paw..
Vehicles Involved:
     #1 - 2001 Freightliner Semi Truck
     #2 - 2005 Chrysler 300M Silver
Seats Belts Used:  Yes
Alcohol:  Alcohol was not a factor.
Victims:
     Driver #1 - Alfonso Coleman Male 27 years old from Covert, 72958 34th Ave.
     Passenger - Levar Coleman Male 32 years old from Covert. 72958 34th Ave.
Criminal Charges:  Driving While License Suspended Alfonso Coleman. 

Information:  Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports Deputies were dispatched to a Semi versus Car, Personal Injury accident eastbound I-94 at the 58 Mile marker (between Decatur and Paw Paw exits) early this morning.
     Upon arrival responding Deputy located the above Chrysler four-door underneath a Semi truck. Investigation revealed that the Semi had stopped on the roadway for another accident and Jack-knifed semi in front of him. The victim was unable to stop and hit the semi entrapping a passenger.
     Victims were removed from the vehicle by VBMS and Paw Paw fire Department. They were transported to Lakeview Hospital. The passenger was admitted for head injuries. Semi truck driver Christopher Furman was able to drive away from the scene and uninjured.
     Driver was cited for Driving while License suspended treated and released.

Investigating Officer:  Dwayne Brigham
Contact:  On Duty Sergeant (269) 657-3101
 

Jan 2010

Incident #:   multiple 2010 incident numbers.
Incident Type:  Multiple vehicle property damage and personal injury crashes, temporary closure of I-94 eastbound/westbound travel lanes.
Date and Time:  January 7, 2010 starting at around 11:40am and continuing. 
Location:    I-94 eastbound and westbound travel lanes from CR 687 in Hartford Township to CR 652 in Antwerp Township.
Drivers/vehicles/injuries:  Multiple passengers cars, semi tractor trailer units, Van Buren County Sheriff patrol unit and Covert public schools school bus. 
     Several persons were injured and were transported by ambulance to area hospital, or these persons were treated by emergency responders at the scene. One student, a passenger on the Covert school bus was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for non life threatening injuries.
Factors in the crash:  Speed appears to be a factor as there was heavy snow fall at the time, snow covered slippery road surfaces.
Alcohol:  Was not in any of these crashes.

Information:  Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that Van Buren County Sheriff Deputies, State and local police units along with additional emergency services personnel were called to several multi vehicle crashes and slide offs to I-94 this in both the east and westbound travel lanes. 
     Law enforcement officers on scene began to police a several car pileup on westbound I-94 near the 48 mile marker, when yet another vehicle lost control, hitting the Van Buren county sheriff unit. 
     Deputy Evans, the first officer that was  that was on scene,  while checking on injured persons, had to jump into the median to avoid being hit by this vehicle that had lost control.  This collision pushed the patrol unit approximately 10 feet. 
     During this time, a semi tractor unit jackknifed, lost control and blocked both westbound travel lanes causing yet more crashes in this area. 
     While additional officers were enroute to assist, eastbound vehicles in this area also lost control, crashed which included that of a Covert public schools bus occupied by 24 students, 1 of which was transported to an area hospital for non threatening injuries.
     Traffic in this area was detoured along I-94’s emergency routes for several hours.  As of this time, I-94 eastbound is still closed from the Paw Paw exit (60) to the Mattawan exit (66).  Motorist are urged that in the event of a crash to avoid serious injury to stay in their vehicle and await emergency personnel to advise them it’s safe to do otherwise.

Investigating officer:   Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police.
Assisting Agencies:  Paw Paw Village Police, Hartford Fire Department, Coloma EMS, Van Buren EMS, Hartford City Police, Mattawan Police, Lawton Police, Paw Paw Fire Department, Lawrence Fire Department,  Mattawan Fire Department.
Supervisor Contact: On Duty Sergeant or Lt William Lux at 269-657-3101, email.

Photos:  Click here to view 37 photos.

Incident Type:   (2) Stolen vehicles, (2) Recovered Stolen vehicles.
Incident Numbers:  9536-09, 9736-09
Date and Time:  December 12, 2009 thru December 20, 2009.
Locations:  Decatur area / Keeler area
Vehicles Stolen and Recovered:  2001 blue Chevy Prizm, 2006 maroon Chevy Impala.

Narrative:  Sheriff Dale R Gribler reports that deputies were dispatched to a report of a stolen vehicle from the Keeler area on 12-20-09. 
     During the course of the investigation, a different vehicle was located in a ditch within a 1/4 mile of the scene of the crime.  It was determined this vehicle was also stolen out of the Decatur area on 12-12-09, driven to the Keeler area, at which time, the suspect lost control putting the car in the ditch.  The suspect then abandoned that stolen car, ransacked numerous other cars in the area and attempted to break into several other garages, until he found an unlocked garage.  The suspect then stole a vehicle out of this garage as well as causing minor property damage to the garage. 
     The second stolen vehicle was located on 12-21-09 at a location in Decatur.   

Investigating Deputy:  Kevin VanBrussel

Incident #:  803010-09.
Incident type:  Search Warrants, Delivery of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine.
Date and Time:  December 18, 2009 at approx 7:00 pm.
Locations: 1)  Red Arrow Bar, 106 E. St Joseph St., Lawrence Village, Van Buren County.
                    2)  116 E. St Joseph Street Apt 5,  Lawrence Village, Van Buren County.
                    3)  Port of Call Trailer Park, 68304 CR 380 Lot 31, Geneva Twp, Van Buren County.

Arrested: 




Raul Garcia, 60 yr old male, South Haven, MI.   
     Charges:  2 counts of Delivery, Manufacture Cocaine.
     Pending Charge:  Possession of Cocaine.


 

Information:  Sheriff Dale R. Gribler states the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit has been conducting a three and a half month undercover investigation into the Red Arrow Bar in Lawrence.  The target of the investigation was cocaine sales from the Red Arrow Bar. 
     The bar owners fiancé was identified as Raul Garcia, who is an employee of the bar, along with other employees who were identified as Mario Muniz and David Jackson.  During this time, several controlled purchases of cocaine had been made at the Red Arrow Bar from the employees.
     Through the investigation, narcotics officers were led to two additional locations.  Narcotics officers were able to obtain search warrants for those locations.  Narcotics officers, along with deputies from the Van Buren County Uniform Response Division, and two VBC K-9 units executed the search-arrest warrants at all three locations. 
     Located at the Red Arrow Bar, were Raul Garcia and Mario Muniz.  Both were taken into custody.  Located on Raul Garcia was approximately three and one half (3.5) grams of cocaine along with $242.00 US currency.  A search warrant was executed at 116 E St Joseph St, Apt 5 in Lawrence.  Located inside the apartment was $941.00 US currency.   At the same time, another search warrant was executed at Port of Call Trailer Park Lot 31 in the South Haven area.  Seized at that location were documents and records.  Approximately a half hour later, David Jackson was located at his residence and taken into custody on the outstanding warrant.
     Michigan Liquor Control Commission (LCC) was contacted to assist in furthering the investigation.  Back in January 2009, a joint investigation between the VBC Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the Michigan LCC, was conducted at the Red Arrow Bar for illegal drug distribution and LCC violations.  At this time, the US currency was seized under the civil forfeiture act. 
     The reports will be forwarded to the Van Buren County Prosecutors office for additional charges.
     All three suspects were transported to the VBC Jail and lodged without incident.
     Anyone with information 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.

Assisting Agencies:  Van Buren County Uniform Response Division, Van Buren County K-9 Units, Michigan LCC.
Investigating Officers:  Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit.
Supervisor Contact:  D/Lt. 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, Fax (269) 657-5161, email.

Nov 2009

Incident #:  8944-09
Date And Time:  Sunday, November 15, 2009 at approximately 9:01 p.m.
Incident Type:  Tri- County Fleeing and Eluding, Suicidal Subject.
Venue: M-43 (West Main) to South Haven, Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren County.
Driver-suspect Information: 38 year old, Female from East Leroy, Calhoun County (Name to be released upon arraignment)
Alcohol:   Alcohol is believed to be a factor into the investigation.

Information:  Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that on Sunday November 15, 2009, at approximately 9:01 p.m., Sheriff Deputies were contacted by the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department whom advised that they were currently in pursuit of a 2005 Nissan Murano.  They were westbound on West Main heading towards Van Buren County.
     Sheriff Deputies took over the pursuit as it entered into Van Buren County on M-43. Deputies were advised by Calhoun County Officers that the driver, a 38 year old female from East Leroy, had inflicted harm to herself by cutting her wrist and that she was going to go to South Haven and jump into Lake Michigan.
     Deputies continued pursuing the female on M-43 with speeds over 100 mph at times. The female continued driving through the City of Bangor. Sheriff Deputies were able to place Stop Sticks on M-43 and 16th Avenue in South Haven Township. The vehicle struck the stop sticks on the front drivers-side tire. The female continued westbound on M-43 and then turning northbound on CR689. The vehicle attempted to turn at the T-Intersection of CR689 and 8th Avenue, at which time the vehicle went into the ditch due to the tire being slowly deflated from the stop sticks.
     The driver was then taken into custody without incident. The female was transported to South Haven Hospital for a medical evaluation. The female was then transported to the Van Buren County Jail where she was lodged pending arraignment in 7th District Court.

Assisting Agencies:  Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, Bangor Police Department, and the South Haven Police Department.
Investigating Officers:  Deputy Travis Bernatche (269) 657-3101 ext. 831, Deputy Ben Downey (269) 657-3101 ext. 836, Sergeant Scott Schmitt (269) 657-3101
Contact Information:  Sergeant Scott Schmitt, Uniform Response-K9 Division at (269) 657-3101 ext. 801 or by email.

Oct 2009

Incident #: 8349-09
Incident type arrests:  OWI (operating while intoxicated), failing to stop at a property damage crash, child endangerment.
Date and Time:  October 28, 2009 at approximately 8:15 a.m.
Location: Hartford and Lawrence Townships.
Driver arrested:   66 year old female Paw Paw Township woman (name withheld pending arraignment in South Haven District Court).
Vehicle information:  Buick LeSabre passenger car

Information:  Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that Van Buren 911 operators received calls of a vehicle that had crashed into another at the main four intersection in the City of Hartford. 
     The vehicle in question fled the scene eastbound on Red Arrow highway.  Van Buren Dispatch relayed this information to Hartford City Police Officers, and Van Buren County Sheriff Deputies.  
     Further information was that the suspect vehicle involved was being followed by a witness to this crash.  As officers were in the process of attempting to locate and stop this vehicle, which was reported to be all over the road, another crash took place involving this vehicle striking a Consumers Energy truck in the Village of Lawrence.  The suspect vehicle, still not stopping after this crash, proceeded southbound for another 2-3 miles to where it was stopped by Sheriff deputies. 
     Its driver, a 66 year old Paw Paw Township woman was arrested for OWI, failing to stop and identify from the two crashes she was involved in, as well as child endangerment.  The child she had with her was her 3 year old great grandchild.  Neither the arrested female, nor the 3 year old were injured from the crashes. 

Arresting officer:  Deputy Rich Wallace.
Assisting agency:  Hartford City Police.
Supervisor contact:  On Duty Sergeant or Lt William Lux email or at 269-657-3101.

Incident No:  8239-09, 8240-09, 8241-09, 8246-09.
Incident Type: Car Break-Ins with 13 victims at 5 different locations.
Locations:  American Legion on Red Arrow Hwy in Hartford Township, Lake’s Bowl and Jack’s Tavern on CR 690 in Keeler Township, Keeler Keg on CR 352 in Keeler Township and Jaco’s Tavern in Village of Lawrence.
Date and Times Reported:  Between October 23, 2009 at 11:40 p.m. and October 24, 2009 at 1:07 a.m.
Method of Operation:  All were smash and grab except one Pick Up that they pried the toolbox open in the back of the truck and took tools.
Items Stolen:  Checks, credit cards, radios, radar detectors, GPS systems and tools.

Information:  Dale R. Gribler reports that deputies were dispatched to 5 different locations with 13 victims reporting that their vehicles had been broken into.   
     Deputies investigating these break-ins could not locate any evidence at the scene of these crimes.  At this point, it is unknown what was used to break the windows out of the cars or what was used to pry open the toolbox. It is believed that all break-ins are related but there are no witnesses or evidence at this time. 
     Anyone with any information is asked to call the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office at 269-657-3101, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-speakup (773-2587).

Investigating Officers:  Deputies Stickels, Tarner and Wydick.
Contact Person:  On Duty Supervisor.

Jul 2009

Arrest Warrants Obtained - July 24, 2009
Incident Type:  Multi-Jurisdictional Investigation involving:  Multiple Larcenies from Motor Vehicles, Motor Vehicle Thefts, and Home Invasions in Van Buren County, Village of Paw Paw and Kalamazoo County.
Date and Time:  Crime Spree occurring within the first two weeks of July 2009.
Complaint Number: 
     Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Complaints:  09-5194, 09-5169, 09-5171, 09-5253, 09-5254, and 09-5173.
     Paw Paw Police Department Complaints:  09-1610, 09-1611, 09-1613, and 09-1676.
     Michigan State Police (Paw Paw Post) Complaint: 051-3490-09, 051-3491-09.
Location: 
     Four incidents, all within the 31,000 Block of Pawton Lane, Antwerp Township, Van Buren Co.
     One incident in the 61,000 Block CR 653 in Antwerp Township, Van Buren Co.
     One incident in the 58,000 Block of 48^th Street- Lawrence Township, Van Buren Co.
     Several locations in the Village of Paw Paw- 800 Block St. Joseph Street, 600 Block N. 
         Kalamazoo Street, 300 Block S. Van Buren St., and 300 Block of Birch Lane.

Information:    Sheriff Dale Gribler reports that the Van Buren County Detective Bureau received a tip that two individuals were staying at a residence in Van Buren County along with stolen property.  The follow-up investigation linked the two suspects (Howard & Tabor) to ten open investigations in Van Buren County regarding stolen property, stolen vehicles, and a home invasion.
     The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, Paw Paw Police Department, and the Michigan State Police (Paw Paw Post) had experienced a dramatic increase in larcenies from motor vehicles, (3) motor vehicle thefts, and a home invasion over a two day period of time from July 9, through July 10, 2009.  On Friday, July 10, 2009, a Detective from the Kalamazoo Township Police Department had informed the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office that he had received a tip that Howard & Tabor were staying at a home in the 32,000 Block of 56th Avenue (Antwerp Township in Van Buren County).  The tip information also stated that there was stolen property at the home as well. Kalamazoo Township Police Department also had Howard & Tabor as suspects in there investigation, along with several related cases being investigated by Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office. The MO used by Howard & Tabor in the Van Buren County cases was also the same MO being used in the Kalamazoo cases.
     On July 10, 2009, Detectives and Deputies from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, along with a Kalamazoo Township Detective, made contact at the residence and attempted contact with the two suspects.  The suspects (Howard & Tabor) fled on foot and a K9 track was utilized, however, they were located. While officers were at the residence, property was observed linking back to a Motor Vehicle theft earlier reported in Paw Paw on July 9, 2009. 
     A search warrant for the residence was drafted and executed on July 10, 2009.  Over 70 pieces of property was seized from the residence which was matched back to the above mentioned complaints being investigated by the three police agencies in Van Buren County.  Additionally, property was recovered from within the home linking back to cases being investigated in Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo County.  The cases in Kalamazoo County are still being investigated.
     On July 24, 2009 the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office authorized a Five Count Felony Warrant for each Howard & Tabor.  Howard & Tabor are currently incarcerated in the Kalamazoo County Jail after a short foot chase in Oshtemo Township on July 14, 2009.  The suspects will be brought to Van Buren County for arraignment on the Van Buren County charges.

Criminal Charges: 
     Count #1-Receiving & Concealing Weapon.  10 year Felony.
     Count #2-Receiving & Concealing Stolen Property $1,000.00 or more, but less than $20,000.  5 year Felony.
     Count #3-Unlawful Driving Away of Motor Vehicle.  5 year Felony.
     Count #4- Unlawful Driving Away of Motor Vehicle.  5 year Felony.
     Count #5-Receiving & Concealing Stolen Property/Motor Vehicle.
Property Recovered:  The personal property reported stolen ranged from small electronics from vehicles (radios/stereos, GPS units, cell phones), money, jewelry, game systems, firearms either taken from vehicles and/or garages.  Most of all the reported stolen personal property has been recovered regarding these investigations.  Additionally, three vehicles were reported stolen and have since been recovered.
Suspect Information:
     Douglas Edward Howard, white male, 01-28-1992, from the Kalamazoo area.
     Marvin Lee Tabor, white male, 5-11-1990, from the Kalamazoo area.
** Suspects have not been arraigned on Van Buren charges and are currently in the Kalamazoo County jail on other charges.**
Investigating Officers:
     Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office - Detective Gabrielle Rought, (269) 657-7711
     Paw Paw Police Department - Chief Patrick W. Alspaugh, (269) 657-5501
     Detective Larry Haynor - Kalamazoo Township Police Department
     Michigan State Police (Paw Paw Post) - Trooper David Ybarra, Trooper Paul Plangger
     Van Buren County K9 - Deputy Tony Evans
Supervisor Contact:  D/Lt. Bryan Stump, (269) 657-7711, D/Sergeant Tom Macyauski, (269) 657-7711