KDPS' WebLog

Bank Robbery Investigation

Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Public Safety is currently investigating a bank robbery that occurred this evening.  Officers responded to the Charter One Bank at 4300 W. Main regarding the robbery at approximately 5:35 p.m.  The suspect left prior to officers arriving.

Single suspect entered the bank armed with a handgun, demanded money and left with an undisclosed amount of currency.  No one was injured during the incident.

Suspect: 
Late 30s to early 40s African American Male
Approx 5’8” tall, medium build
Goatee beard with some grey, Black stocking cap, black coat (nylon fabric), dark pants

 Suspect left carrying a “lap top” type brief case over his shoulder.

Please contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 337-8139 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 with any information regarding these cases.  (Kalamazoosilentobserver.com)

Vine Neighborhood House Fire

Kalamazoo, MI:  Public Safety Officers were sent to a house fire in the 600 blk. of Minor St. tonight at 6:31pm.  The fire started in the kitchen area of the rear apartment and was primarily confined to this apartment.  It was extinguished within 15 minutes but the apartment sustained substantial damage.

There were no injuries from the fire and the cause is currently under investigation by the Kalamazoo Public Safety Fire Marshall’s Office.  Anyone with information on this fire is encouraged to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100, Kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Attempted Abduction

Kalamazoo, MI:  On Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to a report of an attempted abduction of an eight year old Kalamazoo resident in the 1200 block of Summit Street.  The child was approached by a male subject in a pickup truck who attempted to entice the child to get into his vehicle.  The child declined and ran to his residence to report the incident.  The truck then fled the area in an unknown direction.
 
The suspect is described as a light-skinned black male in his mid-twenties wearing black clothing and a black hat.  He was driving a newer 4-door green truck, unknown make or model.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at (269) 337-8994 or Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100 or online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com

KDPS Celebrates Christmas

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety continues this year with a tradition of making a brighter Christmas for local families.  KDPS adopted four Kalamazoo families and will also provide gifts to children at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.  
 
Once a family is adopted, the usual course of action is to contact a parent for gift ideas.  Of all the possible toys on the market, the choice one 11- year old requested came as a surprise.  "What he would really like the most this year is only a Christmas tree," the mother explained.  So Blake Farms in Galesburg graciously donated a Christmas tree and donations from public safety officers added lights and decorations, along with the gifts.

 Other donors include a local Kalamazoo businessman, a local resident, and Campus Bikes on W. Michigan.
 
 On Christmas Day, KDPS officers will make the deliveries, which include a special recipient - 13-year old named Tyler Williams.  Tyler attends Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts.  He has autism, and his smile will light up any room. He is also awesome at creating new mechanical gadgets.   

 Note:  The news media is welcome to tag along and meet Tyler on Christmas morning (around 9a.m.).  If interested, contact Officer Sue Youngs at 269-998-6123.

Two Kalamazoo Drug Dealers Convicted in Federal Court

Kalamazoo, MI:   As a result of an investigation by the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) and in partnership with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Thomas Davis and Travis Farris were Sentenced on December 23, 2008 in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Both had been convicted of conspiracy to distribute 5 or more grams of cocaine base (crack).

Thomas Charles Davis (4/4/74) was sentenced to 210 months of confinement in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by five (5) years of supervised release, and 200 hours of community service.

Travis Sentell Farris (2/6/84) was sentenced to 78 months of confinement in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by five (5) years of supervised release, and 200 hours of community service.

KVET continues to work diligently with our federal law enforcement agencies to remove career dangerous criminals from our neighborhoods.

Anyone with information regarding illegal drugs or firearms activity is urged to contact KVET at 269-337-8880, or report an anonymous tip to Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com

Two Charged In Shooting Of A 15 -year- old

Kalamazoo, MI:  On December 20, 2008 at approximately 01:36 a.m. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officers responded to the 900 block of N. Church St. to the report of a man with a gun and a large crowd in the area.  As officers were approaching the crowd on foot, several gunshots were fired toward the crowd.  A 15-year-old Kalamazoo resident was struck by one bullet and is being treated at Bronson Hospital, where he is in stable condition. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers arrested two subjects within minutes of the shooting.

On December 21, 2008 Kalamazoo Public Safety detectives presented the case to the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's office. Assault with Intent to Murder, Felony Firearm and CCW charges were authorized for both 18-year-old Daniel Ray Partee, and 20-year-old Antrell Antonio Langford, both of Kalamazoo. The subjects have been arraigned on the charges and are being held on a $100,000 bond at the Kalamazoo County jail. A preliminary examination has been scheduled December 30, 2008.

  Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Victim Identified In Fatal House Fire

Kalamazoo, MI:  On December 22, 2008 at approximately 4:24 a.m. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers responded to the 2300 block of Amherst Avenue, after a 911 call of a smell of smoke in the area. Upon arrival officers located a residence with smoke coming from the eves. Officers conducting search and rescue operations located a single victim inside the residence. The 85-year-old resident was not responsive and did not survive.  Kalamazoo Public Safety officers were able to quickly extinguish the fire.

The victim of the fire has been identified as Arlene B. McCune, the 85-year-old resident of 2334 Amherst Avenue. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety extends its condolences to the family of Ms. McCune.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division and the KDPS Fire Marshall continue to investigate to cause of the fire.

Anyone with information regarding this fire is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com

Fatal House Fire

Kalamazoo, MI:  On December 22, 2008 at approximately 4:24 a.m. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers responded to the 2300 block of Amherst Avenue, after a 911 call of a smell of smoke in the area. Upon arrival officers located a residence with smoke coming from the eves. Officers conducting search and rescue operations located a single victim inside the residence. The 85-year-old resident was not responsive and did not survive.  Kalamazoo Public Safety officers were able to quickly extinguish the fire.

The Fire Marshall and detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division were called to the scene to assist in the investigation.  The cause has not yet been determined.  Further information will be released as it becomes available and once the victim's family has been notified.

Anyone with information regarding this fire is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com 

15 Year Old Shot on N. Church St.

Kalamazoo, MI:  Public Safety Officers were sent to the 900 block of N. Church St. at 1:36am this morning on a report of a man with a gun and a large crowd in the area.  As officers were approaching the crowd on foot, several gunshots were fired toward the crowd.  One person was hit by the gunfire, the victim is a 15yr. old Kalamazoo resident.  He is being treated at Bronson Hospital  and he listed in stable condition.

The suspect in the shooting was arrested in the area and is currently lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail.
 
Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100, www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com

 

Meth CAVE Discovered - Wanted Felon Sought

Kalamazoo, MI:  Yesterday, December 17, 2008, officers from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) investigated an anonymous tip of an underground cave in the woods off the 1400 block of Charles in the City of Kalamazoo. The tip reported that the cave lead to an underground room wherein a man secretly cooked methamphetamine.   As darkness approached, officers located the cave with the assistance of fresh footprints left in the snow, to and from the hole in the ground.   Due to the hazards of on-coming darkness and the fact this was a confined space safety hazard, KVET officer returned in the morning. 

At approximately 10:00 a.m., KVET officers, assisted by two federal agents from the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety SWAT team and K9 team addressed the underground room.  The KDPS SWAT members used specialized camera equipment to reach some 15 feet through the cave to view the contents of the room to guard against “booby-traps” and to ensure their were no occupants within.  Officers then manually removed the earth and debris above the hidden room, to include tree limbs, lumber, tarps for waterproofing, and sheets of insulation.

An unusually large quantity of meth production waste and components were located in the underground room.  It was evident that many “one-pot” meth cooks took place here, and the hazardous leftovers were plentiful.  Examples of other items present were: a mattress, chairs, cupboards, kerosene heater, Coleman lanterns, and more.  The room was apparently used as a cabin of sorts.  Officers did not locate finished meth product, which is common when suspects are not present.

KVET officers and the DEA agents trained to dismantle clandestine meth labs put on protective equipment, including breathing apparatus, and removed the hazardous materials from the below ground cavern.  A hazardous waste company responded to dispose of the hazardous materials.

 
Due to a meth lab bust that KVET did on May 12th of this year, the suspect in this case, Ronald Craig Jenkins (44 year old white male, 5’6, 150lbs.) is already a wanted felon.  As a result of that prior lab, Jenkins has outstanding warrants for Operating and Maintaining a Meth Lab and Probation Violation.  Reference today’s large underground lab, KVET will seek charges against Jenkins for Operating and Maintaining a Meth Lab. 

A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Ronald Craig Jenkins.  Citizens are encouraged to call KVET at 269-337-8880, Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com or call the local police department if time is of the essence and the suspect may leave his location.