Police

A northern Indiana police officer who shot and critically wounded a man reportedly opened fire after the man hit and scratched his face. Police records identify the South Bend officer as Samuel Chaput and the wounded man as 27-year-old Terrance Eppenger of South Bend. The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit says officers were called to the scene Tuesday evening …

A Sturgis Township juvenile is suspected of stealing a lawn mower earlier this week. State police said a riding mower was stolen between 3 and 6 p.m. Monday from the vicinity of Balk Road and U.S. 12 in Sturgis Township. A woman notified central dispatch around 6 p.m. to advise authorities her son was in possession of the mower believed …

An Edwardsburg woman was injured after the car she was driving went off the roadway and struck a tree in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were notified at 11:55 a.m. Monday that a personal-injury crash had occurred on Shavehead Lake Road near M-40. Upon further investigation, authorities discovered 57-year-old Karen Pierucki, was driving westbound when the …

State Rep. Aaron Miller, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police, said the subcommittee has advanced a budget plan prioritizing funds to strengthen public safety throughout Michigan. The proposed budget includes a $1 million grant to help prevent sexual assaults on college campuses; $200,000 to support improved software within Michigan’s Advanced 911 system; and $5.5 million for a …

Authorities said the death of an 11-year-old Lockport Township boy does not appear to be suspicious.The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said central dispatch was notified at 7:10 p.m. Thursday that the boy was in cardiac arrest in the 58000 block of Carman Drive. Emergency personnel from Three Rivers transported him to Bronson Methodist Hospital, where he later passed away. The young man …

A White Pigeon woman and her children were injured in a two-vehicle accident this week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday to U.S. 12, east of South River Road, regarding an accident. It was determined that a vehicle driven by Brandi Bambrick, 35, of White Pigeon, was westbound on U.S. 12 …

A southwestern Michigan man whom authorities say fled police and crashed into a car, killing two people, faces five charges including two counts each of operating while intoxicated causing death and fleeing an officer. A judge set bond at $500,000 for Thomas William Vyverman of Kalamazoo during his arraignment Thursday. Vyverman also is charged with resisting and obstructing. Kalamazoo police …

Two people were injured following a collision this week in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday to the intersection of M-62 and Hospital Street. Investigators found 18-year-old Brittany Backus of Edwardsburg was driving west on Brownsville Road, when she stopped at the intersection of M-62 then proceeded east onto Hospital Road. …

Three Rivers Police K-9 Jake was instrumental in apprehending a man who left Menard’s after displaying a handgun to a store employee. According to a department media release, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. Monday, when a man who was being confronted about a retail theft incident displayed a handgun to store security before fleeing the scene on foot. He …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred this week in Constantine Township. Troopers were called Tuesday to the 63000 block of Constantine Road after the homeowner reported the break-in, which occurred between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Home electronics were stolen, investigators said. Details regarding how access to the residence was gained was not indicated in a department …