KDPS' WebLog

Armed Robbery 800 S. Burdick

Kalamazoo, MI:  On September 21, 2008 at approximately 11 p.m. two subjects entered the Food Max in the 800 block of S. Burdick.  One of the subjects was armed with a long gun.  The gun was pointed at the store clerk, while the other subject reached over the counter and stole money from the cash register. 

The two suspects fled the store on foot.  A K-9 track ended in a driveway in the 100 block of W. Vine.  It is believed the suspects then fled the area in an unknown vehicle.

The suspect with the gun was described as an African American male in his 30’s, 5’7” tall, average build with a short beard and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with a design on the front.

The second suspect was described as an African American male in his mid 20’s, 5’11” tall, average build with a short beard and wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.

No one was injured in the incident.  The suspects fled with an undetermined amount of cash.

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

Officers seize handgun

Kalamazoo, MI: On September 21, 2008, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the 1000 Block of Interfaith Boulevard after a citizen called in to report that a man had brandished a handgun there.

When officers arrived in the area, the suspect fled on foot.  After a brief foot chase, the suspect, an 18-year-old Kalamazoo man was apprehended.  The suspect attempted to discard the weapon but it was quickly located after the suspect was apprehended.  The suspect in this case was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and also for resisting and obstructing a police officer.

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in Accident

Kalamazoo

,

MI

:  Public Safety officers were sent to Kings Hwy. and Fourth St. at

12:44am

this morning on a report of a motorcycle involved in an accident.  When officers arrived they found a 41 year old

St. Joseph

County

man lying in the street unconscious.  The investigation revealed that the motorcyclist was traveling north on Kings Hwy and ran over a curb, loosing control of his motorcycle and crashed.  No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

 

The victim was transported to

Bronson

Hospital

and is listed in critical condition.  Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this accident.

 

Anyone who witnessed or has further information on this crash is encouraged to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100, www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com

KVET ADDRESSING HEROIN CONCERNS

Kalamazoo, MI:   Due to citizen complaints and recent overdose deaths KVET is continuing to address Heroin sales.

On 09-12-08 a Kalamazoo resident was arrested for Delivery of Heroin on Kalamazoo’s South Side after a short foot pursuit.  Charges are pending on this subject for Delivery of Heroin and Resisting arrest.

On 09-16-08 a Kalamazoo resident was arrested for Delivery of Heroin in Kalamazoo’s Edison neighborhood.  Charges are pending on this subject for Delivery of Heroin and Possession of Marijuana.

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

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Determined to Keep Kalamazoo Safe Offers Gun Amnesty Buyback Day

Kalamazoo, MI:   On Saturday, September 20, 2008, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is offering residents an opportunity to turn in guns to local police at the Public Safety Training Division, 116 W. Cedar.  Officers will be available from 1:00 p.m. until approximately 6:00 p.m. to collect weapons, ammunition or explosives.

Residents can turn in weapons, ammunition and explosives to the police without penalty. Persons will be granted amnesty from any gun possession charges that may be associated with the weapon(s) and will receive payment for each handgun. Residents can receive $25 for nonworking, single shot and/or .22 caliber firearms; $50 for working handguns and multiple shot long guns; $75 for high capacity (10 or more rounds) handguns and $100 for assault weapons.

Public Safety asks that residents place unloaded weapons, ammunition or explosives in a container. Weapons should be then transported in the trunk of a car separately from ammunition. Once at the Public Safety Training Division, residents should tell a Public Safety officer that they would like to turn in a firearm and the officer will remove the gun(s) from the vehicle. If residents were unable to come to the Public Safety Training Division, Public Safety officials will be available to pick up firearms and explosives.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is very concerned about gun violence in our community and is completely committed to reducing the gun violence. Public Safety is striving to remove firearms on the streets as well as the potential of guns getting into the hands of those who may use them to carry out criminal acts.

House Fire Extinguished—No One Injured

Kalamazoo, MI:  On Monday, September 15, 2008, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to a reported house fire in the 1100 block of James St.  Responding officers encountered a two-story residence heavily involved in fire.

The occupants of the home had escaped prior to the arrival of officers. The fire was brought under control in approximately one hour; the home was extensively damaged. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fire Marshal. 

Streets Remain Impassible

Kalamazoo, MI:  Due to flooding several streets in the southern portion of downtown Kalamazoo remain impassible.  Barricades have been placed to prevent motorists from attempting to drive through flooded streets.  Several drivers have found themselves stranded after driving around barricades into flooded streets.  It is imperative that motorists do not drive through these streets until the water recedes and the barricades are removed.  The following streets remain closed:

• S. Park between Crosstown and Vine
• S. Burdick between Stockbridge and Burr Oak
• E. Vine between John and Portage (Vine is open to Bronson Hospital from the West)
• Crosstown between Park and Portage
• Lake between S. Burdick and Portage
• Stockbridge between Crosstown and S. Burdick and Stockbridge between John and Bank
• S. Rose between Crosstown and Burr Oak
• John between Upjohn and Stockbridge
• Walter between Vine and Lake

Citizens traveling from the south and west into the central business district should avoid Park St. and Portage Rd.  From the south and west, the central business district can be reached via Oakland Dr., Stadium Dr., W. Main and Sprinkle Rd. to BL I-94. 

Downtown Kalamazoo Traffic Alert

Kalamazoo, MI:  The heavy and constant rainfall yesterday and throughout this morning has caused a serious flooding problem in the downtown area.  Numerous streets have been completely closed down with flood depths in excess of two feet. 

Motorists are cautioned to heed the closures and not attempt to pass.  Crews have been  out trying to clear the water but it may take some time. 

The area most affected by the flood is bounded by Park St to the west, Stockbridge to the south, Portage to the east, and Vine St to the north.  Motorists are further cautioned that there is further flooding scattered throughout the city and be prepared to take alternate routes of travel when necessary.

Officer Struck by Drunk Driver

Kalamazoo, MI:  On September 13, 2008 at approximately 2:00 a.m., Public Safety Officer Marcel Behnen was on routine patrol on Portage near Egleston when a car failed to stop for a stop sign and struck his patrol car. 

PSO Behnen was injured, as was the driver of the vehicle that struck him.  Both the officer and the other driver were treated and released at area hospitals.  A 39-year-old Kalamazoo man was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and subsequently lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail.

W. Main and Grand Traffic Crash

Kalamazoo, MI:  On Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Safety was dispatched to W Main and Grand Ave. to investigate a traffic crash.  Two vehicles and a motorcycle were involved in the crash.

A twenty-four year old Kalamazoo man was operating a motorcycle eastbound on W Main, when he struck a vehicle turning westbound Grand Ave.

The driver of the motorcycle suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Bronson Hospital for treatment of his injuries.  No other persons were injured.  Alcohol is not suspected as being a factor in this incident.  The intersection was delayed for traffic for approximately two hours while emergency crews investigated and cleared the crash scene.

Any motorists that witnessed the crash are encouraged to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety by calling 337-8994.  Kalamazoo Public Safety would like to extend its gratitude for the cooperation from numerous motorists affected by the road closure.  The crash remains under investigation.