Police

Two juveniles and an adult are in custody after the Cass County Sheriff’s Department was called to a report of a breaking and entering, and vandalism last week. Sheriff Joe Underwood said the three gained access into Ross Beatty High School between 12:30 and 2 a.m. July 12. Once inside the Cassopolis-based school, the three allegedly damaged technology equipment, fiber-optic …

The courthouse tragedy in Berrien County earlier this week drew the bulk of attention during Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners’ executive committee meeting. The situation garnered more than a half hour of discussion, which concluded with Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite and Sheriff Brad Balk indicating their plan to seek additional funds from commissioners to better secure the county courthouse. …

Sturgis police this week arrested two people after they were caught using an unauthorized credit card. The suspects, whose names, ages and communities of residence were not disclosed in a department media release, were arrested around 7 a.m. Tuesday in the 500 block of South Centerville Road. After further investigation, officers found the suspects were in possession of multiple unauthorized …

A man accused of killing five people when he plowed his speeding pickup truck into a group of Michigan bicyclists had taken pain pills and muscle relaxers less than two hours earlier, according to police reports. Charles Pickett Jr., 50, was initially charged with second-degree murder in the June 7 crash in Kalamazoo County. Charges of driving while intoxicated causing …

St. Joseph County E-911 Central Dispatch has announced “Text-to-9-1-1” service is now functioning in the county as of this week. Dennis Brandenburg, central dispatch director, said the agency is still stressing the concept: “9-1-1, call if you can, text if you can’t.” He said the “Text-to-9-1-1” concept was introduced to better assist people who have a speech or hearing impairment. …

A Michigan sheriff pledged Tuesday to review his department’s guidelines for transporting suspects charged with violent crimes after an detainee who was cuffed in front rather than behind his back wrested a gun from a deputy and killed two court bailiffs. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey initially told reporters that Larry Darnell Gordon wasn’t handcuffed at all Monday during the …

A Sturgis man died over the weekend from injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle accident July 2 in Burr Oak Township. Family members said Jimmy Whitt, 55, passed away shortly after he was taken off life support Sunday afternoon at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Sheriff’s deputies said a United States Postal Service mail-transfer truck driven by 55-year-old Kenelm Digby, of Otsego, …

A 25-year-old Leonidas man was injured over the weekend after he was in a crash. Sheriff’s deputies said Isaac Eicher was driving north on Farrand Road in Colon Township, where he lost control of his vehicle shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday. The vehicle rolled over and struck a tree. Eicher was extricated from the vehicle. Investigators said he was not …

Records show a jail inmate who killed two bailiffs at a southwestern Michigan courthouse was locked up on major felony charges. State police records say Larry Darnell Gordon was charged in April with criminal sexual conduct, assault with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping. Authorities say the 44-year-old inmate overpowered a sheriff’s deputy at the Berrien County courthouse Monday, took his …

A southwestern Michigan police department has changed its policy on pursuits after a motorist was killed after her vehicle was hit by another car fleeing police. Portage’s public safety Director Richard White tells WOOD-TV his department is no longer chasing motorists for minor offenses. Officers still will chase violent felons and drivers posing threats to the public. White says: “I …