Police

Items stolen from residence

Three long guns, a pistol, video gaming devices and other items were stolen last week from a residence in Mottville Township. State police said the incident occurred between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Feb. 19 in the 10000 block of James Street. Police indicated they believe two men were a part of the breaking and entering, and it appears their vehicle …

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Narcotics Unit arrest three

An investigation ongoing for several weeks culminated Tuesday with the arrest of three people in the Meijer parking lot in Three Rivers. Sheriff’s department officials said narcotics investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit said the case involved methamphetamine delivery and production. Charges include delivery of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine precursors. One of the males also had …

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Police arrest man

A Leonidas man was arrested Wednesday following a police pursuit originating in Sturgis. Randall Wood, 39, is being held on a parole absconder warrant along with charges of fleeing and eluding, and hit-and-run. According to Sturgis police, the pursuit began around 10:30 a.m., when a Sturgis officer in an unmarked patrol vehicle saw Wood’s vehicle strike a light pole near …

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New position at sheriff’s dept.

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved a new position at the sheriff’s department, where a diversion program is expected to better meet the needs of people requiring mental-health service evaluations. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved the position of director of assessment. The specialist’s salary will come out of a $350,000 grant administered by the state to the …

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Multi-vehicle crash on I-94

Six people were hurt in a huge 40-vehicle pile-up on Interstate 94 in Van Buren County that resulted in the highway being shut down for several hours Monday night. The crash involved about 20 semi trucks and happened during the evening commute as heavy snow fell throughout the area. The Interstate re-opened after the wreckage was finally cleared-up around 3:30 …

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Possible assault victim

St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies were dispatched Saturday to a call regarding an intoxicated man passed out behind Maria’s restaurant in Sturgis. When deputies arrived they were told by employees the man was picked up by family members and transported home. Later that night, however, deputies were contacted regarding a 31-year-old old male admitted to Lagrange County Hospital with severe …

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Start date delayed indefinitely

The start date for the Centreville Police Department has been delayed indefinitely until a chief is hired. The agency was supposed to begin today after deciding to not renew its contract with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff’s office had provided police coverage for the municipality for more than 20 years, but village officials believe having a community …

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Citizen Corps Coordinator of the Year

A Sturgis resident has been awarded the honor of Citizen Corps Coordinator of the Year. Sturgis Police Deputy Chief David Ives said Jim Cook, a retired CAD instructor from Glen Oaks Community College, was selected from nominations across the state. He was presented a plaque during a recent meeting of the 5th District Homeland Security in Kalamazoo. Cook heads the …

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Items stolen

Jewelry and a .22-caliber handgun were reported stolen from a residence in Park Township earlier this week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were called Tuesday to a residence in the 55000 block of Wilbur Road after the owner discovered the break-in around 4 p.m. Access was gained through forced entry.

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Federal prisoner returned

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk and Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite have returned a federal prisoner to Kentucky. The two left early Tuesday with Nathan Lumbard, who was sentenced in St. Joseph County last week on charges stemming from the May 2009 arson of Welch’s Steak and Ribs in Sturgis. He has one year of federal prison time to serve before …

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