Police

Sheriff Richard J. Behnke advises that stuck vehicles blocking plows and current road conditions in Cass County are making travel unsafe.    Cass County area is experiencing near-blizzard conditions.  Frequent whiteouts, resulting in slide offs and stuck vehicles are causing dangerous road conditions for traveling emergency crews and road commission plows, in addition to record low wind chills and temperatures adding to life …

A southwestern Michigan police officer who fired five shots at a stolen car has been acquitted of reckless discharge of a gun. A jury in Van Buren County returned the verdict Friday. Chelsey Omilian was a Mattawan officer in November 2017 when she fired at a Chevrolet Impala. A woman inside the car was injured. Omilian’s lawyer says she fired …

Ice was cited as the culprit of a two-vehicle accident over the weekend in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 11 p.m. Friday to the intersection of M-60 and Calvin Center Road. Investigators said Noe Herrero, a 58-year-old Elkhart resident, was unable to stop his vehicle on Calvin Center Road due to the …

Two Calvin Township residents suspected of being involved in a number of burglaries throughout the area have been arrested by deputies from the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Richard Behnke said a large quantity of stolen property was recovered from an address on Brownsville Road after the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team and deputies executed a search warrant related to …

A Niles man died on icy roads earlier this week in Cass County’s Milton Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called to a three-car accident shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday on U.S. 12 near Frantz Drive. Investigators said Ryon Koth, a 31-year-old Niles resident, was driving east on U.S. 12 when he lost control of his vehicle. It crossed into …

Sturgis police arrested a 35-year-old Vicksburg man after he attempted to leave a business without paying for several video games. According to a department media release, officers responded at 4 a.m. Tuesday to Meijer on South Centerville Road regarding a theft-in-progress. Store security told police the same man earlier in the week was seen concealing items and not paying for …

A Three Rivers woman was injured in a multi-vehicle accident Tuesday morning in Three Rivers. Sheriff’s department deputies were called at 10:10 a.m. to the intersection of U.S. 131 and Broadway Street. Investigators said a southbound car driven by an 87-year-old woman from Three Rivers turned left onto eastbound Broadway in front of a semi driven northbound by a 73-year-old …

Police say two people have died but their 5-month-old son survived after carbon monoxide apparently filled a house from a generator and portable heater. Det. Sgt. Todd Elliott says it appears to be a “terrible accident” in Battle Creek. The victims were a 20-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman. Elliott tells the Battle Creek Enquirer that they were helping a …

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said the department has fielded an extraordinary number of burglaries in the past month. He advises the public to be especially vigilant in locking their homes and vehicles in order to prevent from being a theft victim. From December 25 through January 15, 20 burglaries and 23 larcenies were reported to the agency. There was …

Three Rivers officers arrested a wanted fugitive last week outside a residence near the intersection of 9th and River streets. According to a department media release, the department received a tip about the location of Nathaniel Poole. He was wanted in connection to charges of first-degree home invasion and felonious assault. The St. Joseph County Special Response Team obtained a …