Police

Man drowns in Cass County

A Cassopolis man died Monday when he fell out of a boat on Shavehead Lake southwest of Jones. The victim was identified as 71-year-old Larry Malsch. Malsch, along with Christopher Habic, 56, of Cassopolis, were sinking Christmas trees into the lake to enhance fish habitat. Habic, who was on shore, attempted to use another watercraft to reach Malsch, but he …

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Robbery at Marcellus gas station

A Marcellus gas station was robbed last week. Cass County Sheriff’s officials said the incident occurred at 10:40 p.m. Thursday at Yummie’s Marathon. Investigators said a white man with a bandana covering his face entered the store and displayed a semi-automatic handgun. After receiving an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect left the scene. A tracking dog from the Van …

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One injured in single-vehicle crash

One person was injured in a single-vehicle crash last week in Constantine Township. State police were called shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday to the 11000 block of Millers Mill Road. Upon further investigation, troopers found that the driver was westbound on Millers Mill when his vehicle crossed both lanes of traffic and rolled down an embankment. The driver freed himself …

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Log splitter stolen from Nottawa business

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched Tuesday to a Nottawa Township business regarding a theft report. Upon arrival, deputies learned a log splitter was stolen from Nottawa Lumber. According to a department media release, the item in question was a blue, Iron and Oak brand log splitter. The splitter features a red, 13 horse power Honda …

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Guilty pleas for 2 in fairgrounds robbery

Two of four Ohio men linked to a September armed robbery at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds have pleaded guilty to the charge. During a court proceeding earlier this month, 35-year-old John Gregory and Robert Howe, 55, pled guilty and as part of a plea agreement that included dismissal of additional charges. Corderrius Cook, 27, pled no contest, while Samuel …

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Hotel robbed at gunpoint

A clerk at a motel outside of Schoolcraft was robbed at gunpoint earlier this week. Kalamazoo County officials said the incident took place at 4:30 a.m. Monday at the Plainsman Motel, on U.S. 131 in Schoolcraft Township. Investigators said a man with a bandana over his face and a woman with several piercings on her lip and face entered the …

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Sturgis man dies following head-on crash

A 47-year-old Sturgis man died following a two-vehicle accident Dec. 20 in LaGrange County. The LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department said Hugo Fernandez died at the scene after the car he was driving was struck head-on by a vehicle on State Road 9, just south of Howe. Sheriff’s investigators said 44-year-old Christopher Yoder of Sturgis was traveling south on State Road …

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Engine stolen from barn in Burr Oak Township

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office investigated a breaking-and-entering incident last week at a location in Burr Oak Township. Investigators were called at 2 p.m. Dec. 21 to the 66000 block of Halfway Road. It was reported that someone entered a barn and took an engine. The engine had aluminum valve covers with the word “Avenger” on it. …

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Brake failure causes crash

A 54-year-old Sturgis woman’s vehicle struck a house last week at 302 S. Lakeview Ave. in Sturgis. Authorities arrived to find the vehicle resting on the front porch of the home, as the driver said the vehicle’s brakes had failed. She told police that when she tried to stop, the brake pedal accelerated all the way to the floor. Police …

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No injuries in Burr Oak area crash

A 16-year-old Sturgis boy and five passengers were unharmed following a single-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon in Burr Oak Township. State police said the car was being driven around 4:15 p.m. on McKale Road when it went out of control south of Hackman Road, rolled over and landed upside down in a ditch of two to three feet of water. An …

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