Police

State Police academy – More than 70 graduates

Michigan State Police graduated its 136th class last week. The group of more than 70 completed a 25-week training at the Lansing-based academy. The training involved firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, cultural diversity, decision, making, first aid, leadership, criminal law, crime-scene processing and precision driving. The recruits also participated in two community-outreach projects. Agency officials …

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Suspect arrested on multiple charges following police pursuit

A pursuit involving law-enforcement personnel in multiple jurisdictions ended Sunday when a stolen vehicle ran out of gas in Cass County’s Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were notified around 6:40 a.m. Sunday that Indiana authorities were in pursuit of a vehicle stolen out of Elkhart and on its way into Michigan. The owner of the vehicle was tracking …

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Minor injuries in crash

Sheriff’s deputies were called last week to a two-vehicle accident in Mendon Township. The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of M-60 and M-66. Upon arrival, deputies located Colon resident Oscar Starks, who was trapped inside his pickup. With the assistance of Colon Fire personnel, a sheriff’s deputy was able to free Starks from the vehicle. …

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White Pigeon Township – Several items stolen

State police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering situation that occurred last week in White Pigeon Township. Officials said the incident happened at Fantom Motorsports, on Dickenson Road. Several remote-controlled cars, remote controllers and other accessories were taken. Authorities said the suspects also stole a Canon digital camera and numerous checks from the business. The checks have Fantom Motorsports stamped on …

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B & E incidents in Mendon Township

Multiple trailers and motor homes were broken in to in a storage lot at Kline’s Resort in Mendon Township last week. State police said the break-ins and theft of items occurred Wednesday or Thursday. Authorities said televisions, DVD players and blankets were among the items reported stolen.

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Investigation continues into fatal shooting in SE Missouri

Police in the southeast Missouri town of Cape Girardeau are continuing to investigate after a man was shot to death at an apartment complex. The Southeast Missourian reports that the victim was identified Thursday as 53-year-old Richard R. Reeves of Decatur, Michigan. The shooting happened just before 10 a.m. inside an apartment on the second floor. Police say Reeves was …

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Report: Elkhart Police Department must track use of force

An external study has found an Indiana city’s police department treats residents with roughness and the offending officers are seldom held accountable. The South Bend Tribune reports that the assessment of the Elkhart Police Department was made public on Thursday. Mayor Tim Neese ordered it this year following the release of video showing two officers repeatedly punching a handcuffed man. …

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Murder suspect to be evaluated for competency

A preliminary hearing set for Ethan Dingman, who is charged with the murder of 55-year-old Todd Schwartz of Colon, didn’t occur Tuesday as scheduled, according to John McDonough, St. Joseph County prosecutor. The case was adjourned and Dingman will be evaluated for competency to stand trial, McDonough said. That evaluation is to take place at Center for Forensic Psychiatry in …

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Man sues police in after wrongful conviction

A man who served 20 months in custody for a wrongful conviction is suing police. Ray McCann was repeatedly hounded by police during an investigation of a girl’s killing in St. Joseph County. McCann denied any role in the death of the 11-year-old girl but says he felt pressured to plead no contest to perjury. The conviction was thrown out …

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Michigan dad gets year in jail for teen’s fatal overdose

A southwestern Michigan man has been sentenced to a year in jail for his 16-year-old son’s fatal drug overdose. Prosecutors accused Gary Birkhead of knowingly allowing his son to use illicit drugs over two years. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in November. Birkhead, a Bangor resident, has been in the Van Buren County jail for months and will have …

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