Six people were taken into custody and others are being sought related to the theft of hemp in Mendon Township earlier this week.
Sherriff’s deputies were called around 9:30 p.m. Monday to a field near the intersection of Clark and Hass roads in reference to an incident of larceny.
Farmers working in the area located a suspicious vehicle parked in the field and attempted to make contact with its occupants. The driver of the vehicle attempted to flee the scene, and struck one of the farmers in the process.
The farmers were subsequently able to get the vehicle stopped and had four subjects detained. The four were in possession of a large amount of stolen hemp, investigators said.
Additional deputies responding to the scene located more suspicious vehicles and people leaving the field. They were also taken into custody.
Six subjects from the Battle Creek area were arrested on several felony charges including larceny over $1,000, felonious assault and providing false information to police investigating a felony.
Charges are being requested through the prosecutor’s office for an additional two people.