KDPS' WebLog

Armed Home Invasion—Vehicle Stolen

Kalamazoo, MI:  On May 25, 2008, at approximately 7:47 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to a reported Home Invasion in the 1200 block of Washington.  The victim reported that he’d been accosted by two men, one armed with a handgun, and that his vehicle had been stolen.

Investigating officers learned that the victim was inside of an apartment when the two suspects broke into the apartment demanding money.  One of the men was armed with a silver handgun.  The suspect fired a single shot and demanded that the victim relinquish the keys to his car.  No one was injured when the weapon was fired.  The victim was then struck in the head with the gun and his keys and cash were stolen. The suspects fled in his vehicle northbound on Mills Street.

The stolen car is a 1996 Chevy Tahoe, green over tan, with 22” chrome wheels, bearing Michigan license plate “BJL6366.”  The suspects are both black males, approximately 20 years old. One of the suspects was wearing a green t-shirt

Anyone who may have information about this robbery is asked to contact Public Safety at 337-994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Traffic Accident on I-94

Kalamazoo, MI:  On May 25, 2008, at approximately 1:48 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the report of a motorcycle accident on East Bound I 94 near the Portage Road exit.   Arriving officers found that there had been a single motorcycle crash.   The driver of the motorcycle was transported to an area hospital and at this time is listed in critical condition.  A portion of the travel lane was closed down while the scene was processed and the accident was investigated.  The accident remains under investigation at this time.

Wild Turkey Breaks into Business

Kalamazoo, MI:  On May 25, 2008, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Paula Hensell, while conducting business checks near 2200 Miller Road, found what appeared to be evidence of a breaking and entering.  There was broken glass in a front window of a business and she also located a vehicle outside the business with its door somewhat ajar.  PSO Hensell was familiar with the business, knew that it was closed for the weekend and that the business was alarmed so she believed a burglar was still inside.  Upon further investigation PSO Hensell discovered that there was an approximately 10-pound female wild turkey lying on a conference table inside the business that had apparently flown into and through the window.   The turkey was deceased when it was found.   The business owner was called to the scene to secure the business.

Carjacking Investigated

Kalamazoo, MI:  On May 25, 2008, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to reported carjacking in the 600 block of Riverview Drive.  The victim reported that he’d been accosted by two men, both armed with handguns, and that his vehicle had been stolen.

Investigating officers learned that the victim had parked his vehicle in a parking lot and was returning to the car when two men approached him.  Both men were armed with semi-automatic handguns.  One of the suspects fired a single shot and demanded that the victim relinquish the keys to his car.  No one was injured when the weapon was fired.  The victim turned over his keys and both suspects fled in his car northbound on Riverview Dr.

The stolen car is a 1999, Cadillac Escalade, chrome wheels, bearing Michigan personalized license plate “JALA.”  The suspects are both black males, approximately 30 years old, wearing dark hooded sweatshirts and armed with handguns.  The victim reported that both suspects walked from a gold Dodge Intrepid, which had been parked across the street.  Neither the Dodge Intrepid nor the stolen Cadillac Escalade has been located.

Anyone who may have information about this robbery is asked to contact Public Safety at 337-994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Hit & Run Accident Investigation

Kalamazoo, MI:  On 5-22-08 at approximately 6:45 P.M., KDPS responded to a report of a personal injury accident in the 2700 block of Portage Road.  When officers arrived, they found one of the vehicles involved in the accident had fled the scene northbound on Portage.  Life Ambulance transported the driver of the other vehicle, who had apparent minor injuries, to Bronson Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. 

Both vehicles were traveling north on Portage Road when the at-fault driver moved quickly from the inside lane of travel to the outside lane of travel, crashing into the victim’s vehicle and forcing it into a nearby utility pole.  The vehicle was described as a red Pontiac Grand Am or Grand Prix.  The driver was described as a black male and female of an unknown race was in the front passenger seat.

Utility workers spent several hours replacing the badly damaged utility pole on the corner of Portage and Cambridge Streets.   

Anyone having information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com

House Fire 100 Block of Patterson

Kalamazoo, MI:  On 5-22-08 at approximately 6:45 P.M. KDPS responded to a report of a house fire in the 100 Block of W. Paterson.  On arrival officers discovered smoke coming from the roof.  Officers found that the fire had started in the kitchen.  Fire-fighting operations were quickly initiated bringing the fire under control within approximately twenty minutes.

The homeowner advised that she was using her kitchen stove to dry clothes on a metal rack placed in front of the stove.  The stove was left unattended at the time the fire started.

The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the homeowner with temporary lodging.

Gun Seized in Comstock Township- Officers Injured

Kalamazoo County, MI:   On May 20, 2008 at approximately 5:30 PM, officers from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) were investigating a Silent Observer tip that the residents in a mobile home in Pavilion Estates Mobile Home Park were selling marijuana and cocaine.  The report also stated that several firearms were thought to be in the home.  The mobile home is located in the 6700 block of Carlisle Drive in Comstock Township. 

While KVET officers were talking with the female resident, her 26 year-old husband Radrekio Crowley arrived home and angrily confronted officers.  Crowley was yelling and cursing at officers as he continually tried to push by to enter his home.  After failing to obey several orders from a KVET officer, Crowley was told he was under arrest for Obstructing Police.  Crowley then resisted arrest and while fighting with the officer he shoved the officer against the porch railing.  The railing broke and both the officer and Crowley felling several feet to the ground.  As other officers then came to assist, Crowley attempted to assault officers with a shovel.  After several minutes the struggle ended and Crowley was in custody.

KVET officers then obtained a search warrant for the home, subsequently locating approximately one ounce of marijuana and a loaded .38 caliber revolver handgun .  The gun was found in a pile of clothes in the master bedroom easily accessible to the four children (all under 9 years old) that were also in the home. 

The KVET officer who initially struggled with Crowley was treated and released at Bronson Hospital for bruised ribs.  A second officer received a minor hand injury that did not require medical treatment.

The following day, May 21, 2008, suspect Crowley was arraigned on the following charges:  Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Felony Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm (as he is a convicted felon) and 2 counts of Assaulting a Police Officer.  He is being held in the Kalamazoo County Jail.

Also on Wednesday May 22, 2008, Protective Services personnel removed all four children from the home.

Anyone with information regarding illegal drug 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

AK47 and Cocaine Seized in Oshtemo

Kalamazoo, MI:   On May 19, 2008 at approximately 6:00 PM, officers from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) executed a search warrant at "Seville Apartments" located off S. Drake Rd. in the Township of Oshtemo.  Upon search of the two-bedroom apartment officers seized approximately 16 grams of crack cocaine, 56 grams of suspected powder cocaine and an AK47 assault rifle along with a matching loaded ammunition magazine (photos attached).

A 17 year-old male resident of the apartment was arrested for Possession with Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine and Felony Firearm.  A second resident of the apartment, an 18 year-old male, was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Lansing for Parole Violation. 

Anyone with information regarding illegal drug 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

Unknown Suspect(s) Throw Rocks at Passing Motorists

Kalamazoo, MI:  Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers are investigating two separate but similar incidents that occurred along I-94 between Sprinkle Rd and Portage Rd.  In both cases an unknown suspect(s) threw a rock at a passing motorist striking a vehicle in each incident.

The first incident occurred on May 10, 2008 in the afternoon where a semi-truck was struck by a suspected thrown rock.  The truck was traveling west on I-94 near the 78mm.

The second incident occurred on May 17, 2008 during the nighttime hours where a bus was struck with a suspected thrown rock.  The bus was traveling west on I-94 also near the 78 mm.

No suspects were seen or identified in either case.

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

Grand Opening of New Public Safety Station Saturday, May 31st

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is proud to announce the Grand Opening of the new North Park Street Public Safety Station, 601 N. Park.  In honor of the occasion, a  Celebration has been scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2008 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with the opening dedication from 1:00-1:30 pm. We invite the community to join us for the festivities and to see their new Public Safety facility.

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