Crime

My Town: Potentially costly spoofing scam spreads to Kent County

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Sunday, June 22nd, 2014, 8:00am

My Town: Potentially costly spoofing scam spreads to Kent County

KENT COUNTY, Mich.—The sheriff department is warning residents about a scam that’s made its way into Kent County.

On June 16, a resident contacted the sheriff department to report a suspicious phone call. The suspect masked their phone number so it appeared the phone call was coming from the Kent County Sheriff Department. The predator told the victim the Kent County Sheriff Department had a warrant out for their arrest and they needed to pay hundreds of dollars to take care of the warrant. The scammer also used an actual sheriff department employee’s name. Fortunately, the victim thought the call was suspicious and contacted deputies.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, May 14th, 2014, 7:00am

My Town: May 15 ceremony honors officers killed on duty

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—A Walker police officer killed while trying to stop two robbers is among the nearly three dozen officers who will be honored during the Police Memorial Day of Service ceremony Thursday, May 15.

The memorial will begin at 10 a.m. inside the Grand Rapids Police Department lobby, due to the weather. Dave Hiller, the executive director of the Michigan Fraternal Order of Police, will be the guest speaker at the event. Those who will be honored are:

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Friday, March 28th, 2014, 9:03am

My Town: Governor approves adding two judges to Kent County courts

LANSING, Mich. – Two Kent County courts will be getting additional judges.

This week Governor Snyder signed five bills to redistribute judges based on caseloads. The bills removes four judge positions from the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County, one judgeship from the 36th District Court in Detroit and one judgeship from the 70th District Court in Saginaw. The affected judges will serve out their current turns, but will not be replace.

The bills then add two judgeships to the 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County, one to the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County one to the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County, one to the 7th District Court in Van Buren County, and one to the 63rd District Court in Kent County, subject to a local vote.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Sunday, March 16th, 2014, 7:00am

My Town: G.R. man arrested for thefts spanning two counties

KENTWOOD, Mich.—Police believe a Grand Rapids man accused of stealing fuel from a truck may be responsible for dozens of similar thefts in two counties.

Jeffrey James-Lee Pardee is charged with receiving and concealing $20,000 or more of stolen property in Grand Rapids, malicious destruction of property over $1,000 in Kentwood, and two counts of larceny under $200 in Kentwood. He’s also charged with being a habitual offender.

Police arrested Pardee around 1 a.m. Friday, March 14 at a business in the 3800 block of East Paris SE. Officers say he was stealing a large quantity of diesel fuel from a truck, draining the fuel into large holding tanks in his van. Officers say he also stole fuel from a vehicle in the 4600 block of 44th Street SE. When detectives searched Pardee’s home, they also recovered a large quantity of stolen property from two burglaries.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Tuesday, August 6th, 2013, 5:00am

Communities celebrate National Night Out August 6

National Night Out is August 6, providing community members a free and fun opportunity to meet neighbors and local police officers.

National Night Out started in1984 as a way to encourage the community to get involved in crime-prevention, sending a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Organizers often fold food and family-friendly activities into the event. This year’s participating communities include:

Kalamazoo County

· Kalamazoo: Arcadia Neighborhood Assoc., Arcadia School, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

· Kalamazoo: Eastside Neighborhood Assoc., Rockwell Park, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

· Kalamazoo: Edison Neighborhood Assoc., 816 Washington, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, July 17th, 2013, 11:45am

Wyoming, Kentwood and Grand Rapids city leaders will hold a special meeting Thursday, July 18 to consider moving forward with a proposal to consolidate police and fire services.

Council and commission members from all three cities will review ICMA Consulting Service’s study and recommendations about consolidation. The report’s executive summary concludes consolidation is the best alternative to improve service and save more than $13 million annually. It also recommends:

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 9:42am

The school year is wrapping up for many people, but it’s just beginning for dozens prospective Michigan State Police troopers.

Sunday, May 12, 80 men and women from across the state began the 125th Trooper Recruit School. For the next 21 weeks, MSP members and academy staff will train the recruits in firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing and precision driving. Recruits who successfully complete the training will graduate October 4.

Michigan State Police selected recruits from more than 3,000 potential candidates.

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