Police

State police are investigating an incident related to discharge of a firearm this week in Nottawa Township. According to a department media release, the front passenger-side window of a vehicle was shot between 4 p.m. Tuesday and 4 p.m. Wednesday outside a residence in the 61000 block of Klinger Lake Road. Nobody was home at the time of the incident …

State police are investigating the theft of a four-wheel ATV from Mottville Township. According to a department media release, troopers were dispatched to the 71000 block of U.S. 131 at noon Saturday. The victim told authorities the vehicle was taken between 7 p.m. Friday and 5:45 a.m. Saturday from the front yard of the property. The ATV is a red …

Seven people were arrested in downtown Three Rivers on drug-related charges following an investigation by local and county drug officers last week. According to a sheriff’s department media release, investigators with the Three Rivers Police Department and the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit secured a warrant and at 2 a.m. Friday, entered a residence at 13 N. Main St. …

A breaking-and-entering incident at a Constantine Township residence was investigated this week. State police said troopers were called around 10 p.m. Wednesday to the 11000 block of North River Road. The victim told authorities the break-in occurred between 1 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Wednesday. Items taken include a plastic tote and a clam ice shanty. Authorities have not stated …

A plea agreement between a former Sturgis teacher and the St. Joseph County prosecutor’s office was withdrawn Tuesday in St. Joseph County District Court. Keith Andrew Lang was set to enter a no contest/guilty plea to one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. However, District Court Judge Jeff Middleton said he couldn’t agree to portions of the deal. As …

A Leonidas Township resident reported the theft of a trailer. State police were called Wednesday morning to the 5200 block of Fulton Road, where the victim said the 5-by-8-foot trailer featured a black steel frame, aluminum fender, and plywood covering the sides and bottom.

State police responded this week to a breaking-and-entering of an abandoned residence in Constantine Township. According to a department media release, troopers responded to the 12000 block of North River Road and found forced entry was gained into the house and adjacent barns and sheds. Investigators found numerous antiques, tools and a four-wheel ATV had been stolen.

The Portage man charged with shooting to death two people last week – including a St. Joseph County resident – was arraigned Monday. St. Joseph County court officials said 32-year-old Zachary Patten was arraigned in St. Joseph County District Court. Judge Rob Pattison charged Patten with homicide, open murder, firearms and home invasion. The felony charges stem from Thursday’s shooting …

Investigators have concluded that lightning was the source of a barn fire earlier this month in Sherman Township. The barn and its contents were destroyed July 10 as the result of a lightning strike. Tri-Township firefighters were dispatched just after 9 a. m. to the 65000 block of Taylor Road. Upon arrival, fire crews found the structure fully engulfed. Officials …

A man accused of killing two people last week has been returned to St. Joseph County from Indiana, where he was arrested Friday. Zachary Patten, 32, was brought to the county jail in Centreville Saturday morning. He waived extradition from Indiana after turning himself in to a pair of South Bend officers. Patten is accused of killing a 31-year-old Kalamazoo …