DISTRICT 1
Conservation Officer (CO) Brian Lasanen was patrolling a closed multi-use state trail when he contacted the operator of a snow bike and a group of other snowmobiles operating on the closed trail. CO Lasanen noticed the bike and another snowmobile did not have a valid trail permit showing. When questioned about this, one of the riders stated he had not bought a trail sticker in the last ten years and just took his chances that he would not run into an officer. Both the riders were issued tickets.
COs Jenni Hanson and Zach Painter patrolled Lake Gogebic during an ice fishing tournament. Upon checking one group, CO Hanson noticed numerous jig rods through the ice, but only two people. A total of nine lines were counted. At first the subject claimed his friend was at the bar and would be right back. Then his story changed, admitting he thought you were allowed three jig rods and two tip-ups per person. The subject was cited for having too many lines in the water.
CO Byron Parks was patrolling in Houghton County when a call came out about a snowmobile personal injury accident. The operator sustained a deep laceration to his forehead when he attempted to climb a hill and lost control. The subject was thrown over the handlebars with the snowmobile landing on top of him. CO Parks provided first aid until emergency medical services (EMS) arrived and transported the subject to the local hospital.
DISTRICT 2
COs Andrea Dani and Mark Zitnik were invited to a Northern Michigan University Zoom class. The COs explained to the students the hiring process, why they chose their occupation, and how each day and season dictates the focus of enforcement for each shift. The COs ended the class with a Q&A discussing how COs work with biologists and many other environmental organizations and law enforcement agencies to be successful.
CO Andrea Dani was at the Shingleton Field Office when she heard a "be on the lookout" for a vehicle traveling in her direction just a few miles west of her location on Highway M 28. CO Dani observed the suspect vehicle slow down and activate a turn signal then disregard the turn and continue past her patrol truck. The driver turned his head around to stare at the patrol truck. CO Dani followed the vehicle and observed it slowly weaving throughout the lane. CO Dani conducted a traffic stop and the vehicle pulled into a convenience store. The driver exited his vehicle, gripping and leaning on the side of his truck as he walked around it. He then stated with a slurred speech that he did not see the patrol truck or know it was behind him. CO Dani observed a white powdery substance covering the driver's tongue and lips. CO Dani relayed this information to dispatch, at which time the driver tried to quickly drink a large amount of apple juice to wash it away. The driver handed CO Dani a debit card instead of a driver's license and then stated the powder must be toothpaste. A closer look indicated the same substance on and around the driver's nose. The driver then stated the powder must be snot from snow blowing earlier. Alger County Sheriff's Department Sergeant (Sgt.) Sam Grahovac then arrived on scene and performed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). The driver failed the SFSTs. He was arrested and transported by Sgt. Grahovac to the local hospital for a blood draw and lodged in the Alger County Jail for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) by Drugs.
CO Steve Butzin investigated a Delta County resident as he was suspected to have shot a deer during the past rifle season without a license. An interview was conducted, and evidence was found, which proved that this individual shot a 6-point buck without a license. A report is being submitted for taking a deer without a license to the Delta County Prosecutor's Office.
COs Chris Lynch and Andrea Danni conducted two snowmobile patrols over the weekend. The COs issued three citations for carless operation. While on patrol the COs responded to a snowmobile personal injury accident near Kingston Lake. The operator lost control of the snowmobile and crashed. The COs assisted the Alger County Sheriff's Office with the investigation and removing the injured person to an awaiting ambulance.
CO Mark Zitnik assisted the Michigan State Police (MSP) with a search for a man in the Chatham area who was walking on the road with a shotgun, wearing only underwear, and acting disoriented. The MSP, Alger County Sheriff's Deputy Sam Grahovac, and CO Zitnik searched the area for an hour looking for the man but were unable to locate him.
COs Todd Sumbera, Cole VanOosten, and Mike Olesen conducted a late-night group patrol on Munuscong Bay focusing on fishing lines being left out over night during a fishing tournament. The COs located four lines that were left out over night with no one tending to them. Contact was made with the four individuals as they returned to check on the lines and citations were issued for fishing with unattended lines.
CO Cole VanOosten was driving on Highway M 28 in Chippewa County when he encountered severe whiteout conditions and came up on a large traffic jam of approximately 40 cars that could not navigate because of the extreme conditions. CO VanOosten notified Chippewa County Dispatch and with the assistance from the MSP, US Border Patrol, and Bay Mills Tribal Police the stretch of highway was closed with traffic being directed to a different route. Several accident reports were taken but fortunately no injuries were reported.
DISTRICT 3
CO Andrea Erratt checked an angler, who had caught a few pike and a perch, coming off Beals Lake at dusk. The angler said he did not have a fishing license and knew he could have purchased one where he bought his minnows but he was waiting to get next season's license. The angler admitted he had been fishing the last two weekends. He stated he knew better, and his wife had told him to buy a fishing license, so he felt like an idiot because he is always pushing the limits "which bites him in the keister" every time. CO Erratt issued the man a ticket for fishing without a license and allowed him to keep the fish he had caught to feed his kids.
CO Adam LeClerc worked an ongoing snowmobile trespass issue in northern Emmet County. A group of snowmobilers could be heard in the distance, then appeared in a private property field posted closed to snowmobiles. CO LeClerc made a traffic stop on the snowmobiles when they came out from the field. Once the snowmobile stopped another 15 plus snowmobiles could be seen following the leader through the closed field. CO LeClerc explained the ongoing trespass issues to the operator who was very understanding. CO LeClerc issued a ticket for recreational trespass and the other operators in the group received verbal warnings for recreational trespass.
Sgt. Bill Webster was patrolling through East Jordan when a medical call came out. Fortunately, Sgt. Webster was passing the address at the time the call was being dispatched. Sgt. Webster secured the scene and checked vitals of the victim. The victim was having heart pain and sweating. After some questions, it was determined that the man had taken twice the amount of medication as prescribed. He was taken to the hospital in Charlevoix.
CO Tom Oberg was ending his shift when central dispatch advised of a chimney fire at a house a couple of houses down from CO Oberg's residence. CO Oberg arrived first on scene and made sure everyone was out of the residence. CO Oberg used his department-issued fire extinguisher to put out the flames inside the fireplace. Luckily, the flames were no longer coming out of the top of the chimney. The Otsego Lake Fire Department arrived on scene shortly after and verified no active flames were still present.
CO Tim Rosochacki was patrolling Burt Lake for ice fishing activity when he encountered a subject checking a tip-up outside of his ice shanty. A quick count determined that six tip-ups were set out. CO Rosochacki requested a fishing license and asked who else was fishing. The subject stated he was by himself and stated, "I've got one coming" and acknowledged that he knew he could only have three lines. A check of the ice shanty revealed a seventh line in the water. A ticket was issued and the angler made his line count in compliance.
CO Jon Sklba followed up with an illegal elk case from the December elk hunt in Otsego County. CO Sklba contacted the subject with the warrant to advise him. The subject agreed to contact the county magistrate to make arraignments to turn himself in on the warrant.
COs Jon Sklba and Paul Fox discovered a pop-up shanty with tip-ups set and nobody around on Black Lake in Presque Isle County. The COs waited at the shanty for the subject to return. After a long wait no one arrived, so COs went looking for the subject. The COs were able to track the subject to a cabin. The subject denied being gone long, yet he answered the door in a t-shirt and the tires on his side-by-side had time to dry. The subject had also been fishing without a license. Tickets were issued for the violations.
CO Sidney Collins was able to secure the donation of a deer decoy from the local chapter of Safari Club International in Montmorency County. The decoy will be used to combat road hunting and trespass issues during the fall season.
COs Sidney Collins and Dan Liestenfeltz were first on scene to a vehicle fire in Montmorency County. When the COs arrived, the truck was fully engulfed. The COs checked the scene for any injuries; none were reported. The fire started when a subject was working on the vehicle and sparks ignited the truck.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling Montmorency County when he observed two suspicious vehicles parked near an unoccupied weekend residence. Due to the high number of recent larcenies in the area, CO Liestenfeltz checked one of the license plates through the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN). CO Liestenfeltz observed the vehicles as they left the residence. One of the vehicles had a registered owner that had a suspended driver's license and the vehicle also showed it did not have verification for insurance. A traffic stop was made on the vehicle. When CO Liestenfeltz asked what the subject was doing near the residence, the subject stated that they were simply looking at properties. CO Liestenfeltz did not observe any burglary tools or anything that appeared to be stolen. CO Liestenfeltz then issued the driver an appearance ticket for driving on a suspended license. Another subject with a valid driver's license came to drive away the vehicle.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz assisted the Montmorency County Sheriff's Department with a home invasion and domestic assault where the suspect barricaded himself inside a residence. The suspect eventually came out of the residence voluntarily and was taken into custody with no issues.
DISTRICT 4
COs William Kinney and Amanda McCurdy participated in ice rescue training hosted by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The COs trained alongside Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park rangers, as well as firefighters from numerous departments around Benzie County. All participants utilized dry suits to practice rescue and recovery methods both in and out of the water in Loon Lake. The trainees gained familiarity with operating in freezing water temperatures and practiced the best techniques to retrieve victims who had fallen through the ice. COs frequently work on frozen surfaces and are likely the first to respond for ice rescue emergencies. This training was a valuable opportunity to enhance skills and be comfortable operating in adverse weather and water conditions.
CO Brian Brosky responded to a call of a traffic crash in Mason County in which at least one person was not responsive. As he arrived at the scene, first responders were at the location and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started on the victims of the crash. CO Brosky and other responders were also notified that one of the drivers had allegedly fled the area on foot. As the victims were being attended to by medical personnel, CO Brosky was approached by a witness at the scene who said that the driver who left the scene was bleeding and they began tracking blood drops though a parking lot of a local business. A Mason County sheriff's deputy arrived at CO Brosky's location and they were able to track blood and footprints in the snow though the woods that led to a road, where the suspect continued walking down the road in a southerly direction. CO Brosky noticed a vehicle braking about one half mile south of his location and he could see the vehicle swerve around a subject on the side of the road. At that point, a passerby asked CO Brosky and the deputy if they were looking for someone acting erratic that was bleeding from his face and then agreed to give them a lift to the subject's location. As they approached, the officers observed the subject unsuccessfully try to stop and catch a ride in another passing vehicle. When the officers arrived, the suspect ran to their vehicle and asked for a ride. Much to his surprise CO Brosky and the deputy exited the vehicle and took him into custody. The suspect was transported back to the scene, with the assistance of an MSP trooper, and treated by medical personnel. One male subject was pronounced dead at the scene and a female subject, who was eight months pregnant, was transported to a local hospital where both she and the baby were pronounced dead. The suspect was charged with several felony charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of OWI causing death, one count of OWI causing miscarriage/stillbirth, one count of failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death, one count of operating without a license, and a count of habitual-offender supplemental warrant fourth conviction.
CO Josiah Killingbeck responded with the Lake County Sheriff's Office to a report of an assault in progress that turned into a possible abduction. CO Killingbeck and deputies arrived at a residence where another call was received about the same subject being dragged into a house and assaulted. As CO Killingbeck and a deputy arrived, a vehicle was leaving. This vehicle was stopped, and the subjects detained. One subject was someone that CO Killingbeck had arrested several months ago for possession of methamphetamine and a loaded gun. Several more subjects inside the residence were detained and the victim was located running out of the residence screaming for help. The subject had been assaulted badly and required an ambulance. CO Killingbeck assisted with interviews and determined that the subject had been taken against his will, forced into a vehicle, and assaulted in the vehicle with a handgun. The subject had been driven to the residence where he was told he was going to be killed and had been assaulted numerous times. The victim was extremely thankful to CO Killingbeck and deputies for arriving when they did. Numerous subjects were arrested and lodged in the Lake County Jail for numerous felony charges.
CO Josiah Killingbeck received a complaint from a subject saying that a person had been evicted from a residence and when the subject left, he handed the complainant an envelope containing citations issued for snowmobile violations in the complainant's name. CO Killingbeck began an investigation and determined that the subject he had issued the citations, had given CO Killingbeck his girlfriend's landlord's name. CO Killingbeck was able to identify the actual person who had been operating a snowmobile without a helmet, against the flow of traffic, failed to display a certificate of registration, and no trail permit. CO Killingbeck was able to determine that the subject had several warrants for his arrest and had a suspended driver's license. CO Killingbeck filed a report with the Lake County Prosecutor's Office and charges were authorized for providing a peace officer with a false name, operating while suspended, operating against the flow of traffic, operating without a helmet, and fail to display certificate of registration.
CO Angela Greenway conducted a presentation for the Cadillac Innovation High School to approximately 30 students in attendance. CO Greenway discussed her career as a CO and exposed the students to different careers within law enforcement.
CO Tim Barboza assisted the Fremont Police Department with a felony warrant parole absconder who was inside a house and not allowing anyone to come to the door. The Fremont Police Department was able to gain access to the home and after ordering the individual out several times, he complied and was taken into custody.
CO Micah Hintze received a RAP complaint of blood being located near a county road, near the entrance to a neighbor's private property. COs Hintze and Kyle Publiski arrived on scene and immediately identified the blood marks leading towards a vehicle parked nearby that was missing a license plate. The complainant stated three males left the vehicle there and rode on a side-by-side ORV towards their camp, approximately half a mile away. The COs followed the ORV tracks and were met by a machine matching the description, containing two male occupants. They both denied knowing what the blood would have been from and invited the COs to their camp to investigate. CO Publiski followed matching ORV tracks from the camp towards the property line and located multiple bait sites and a bloody pile of snow that appeared to have been dumped from the ORV. CO Hintze followed a set of footprints towards a snow-covered wood pile and observed a spot of blood nearby. A young whitetail doe was discovered hidden in the wood pile that had obvious trauma from a firearm. CO Ben Shively arrived on scene, who had previously contacted the same camp owner for late night shots fired complaints. Through interviews, it was determined the camp owner had shot the doe the night previous from his truck when the group was driving to their camp. The COs located and removed three loaded firearms from the truck in question. The firearms, along with multiple magazines of live ammunition, spent casings located in the vehicle, and multiple spotlights, were seized as evidence. Charges are being sought through the Oceana County prosecutor.
DISTRICT 5
COs Matt Zultak and Chuck McPherson were patrolling Higgins Lake in Roscommon County when they located numerous tip-ups. One of the tip-ups had a flag up and no one was around to tend the tip-ups. The COs waited over an hour before anglers returned. A citation was issued for not having lines under immediate control.
CO Ethan Gainforth was checking perch anglers on Saginaw Bay when he contacted a group of four anglers walking off the ice. The two adult anglers in the group seemed extremely nervous. The subjects had two large pails full of perch. A quick count revealed the subjects had 84 perch, well within their four-person limit of 25 each. However, heads dropped when CO Gainforth discovered a hidden bass underneath all the other fish. The subject who kept the bass said that he did not check to see if it was in season and kept it because his dad enjoys eating them. The subject was issued a citation for keeping a bass during the closed season.
CO Craig Neal was checking anglers coming off Saginaw Bay at Palmer Road. Two anglers came in and said that they did pretty good, telling CO Neal that they had about 20 perch each. Both anglers showed CO Neal their fish in their respective buckets. CO Neal could tell that they probably had more than 20 perch each and decided to count their fish for them. The first angler had 28 perch and the second had 31 perch. The legal daily limit is 25 perch. CO Neal issued a citation to both anglers for the overlimit of perch.
CO James Garrett assisted the Oscoda County Sheriff's Department with a side-by-side ORV accident on M 72 in Oscoda County. The driver had entered the highway and was struck by the motor vehicle head on, ejecting both occupants of the ORV. The driver of the ORV was determined to be deceased at the scene and the second occupant of the ORV was air lifted to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, where further treatment was provided. The driver of the motor vehicle was cleared by EMS on scene. The accident is being handled by the Oscoda County Sheriff's Department and is still under investigation.
DISTRICT 6
During a patrol through the Flat River State Game Area (SGA), CO Mike Haas witnessed a Jeep operating off the roadway through a large field that was used as a food plot for wildlife. The driver of the vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed, revving the engine, and fishtailing through the area. CO Haas contacted the occupants of the Jeep as they returned to the road. The driver stated he had recently bought the Jeep and wanted to test its capabilities and was also curious to where the field led. He then admitted that he knew that he should not have been driving through it. CO Haas warned the driver for failing to wear his seatbelt and issued a citation for operating in a closed area.
CO Dan Robinson was working state game area sections in Montcalm County when he came across two vehicles parked on the wrong side of the road. CO Robinson pulled up behind the vehicles and noticed the occupants drop the chain saws they were holding. The pair were cutting wood in the game area, in a closed area, and without a permit. The pair had several trees down and a large load of wood in the truck already. A citation was issued for destroy/damage vegetation on state lands.
CO Adam Schiller responded to a complaint of an elderly gentleman who had walked away from an adult care facility and had not returned. The individual was attempting to walk into town to get food. When he did not return, staff at the facility contacted central dispatch. The local Sheriff's office requested the CO's assistance in finding the elderly gentleman. CO Schiller searched along with local deputies. After approximately two hours of searching, CO Schiller located the gentleman; unfortunately, the individual was found to be unresponsive and deceased.
DISTRICT 7
CO Travis Dragomer received a call that a homeowner located multiple illegal cable restraints on their property. CO Dragomer observed one dead coyote and five other set cable restraints that did not have any of the trapper information. None of the traps were equipped with the required stopper which would prevent the cable restraint from being used as a kill-trap. The CO was able to develop a suspect after speaking with neighbors and had the suspect meet him at the location of the set traps. CO Dragomer issued one citation for using untagged traps and another citation for using cable restraints without the required stopper. Multiple warnings were given.
CO James Nason deployed trail cameras in areas of increased trash dumping in the Gourdneck SGA. After retrieving camera photographs and additional information from the trash piles, numerous suspects have been identified. Citations have been written and further investigations are on-going.
CO James Nason received a call from a past contact about ORVs driving by her house at high rates of speed. The neighborhood area has been plagued by reckless ORV activities for the past year. COs Nason and Chris Holmes were able to respond within minutes and located one subject operating a homebuilt ORV down a residential road, wearing no helmet. Multiple ORV and motor vehicle code violations were found during the stop and a citation was issued for the safety violations.
CO James Nason received information from the RAP Dispatch Center about a buck that was taken during the 2020 bow season. A follow up investigation by COs Nason and Kyle McQueer resulted in numerous admissions and eventually a confession to illegally harvesting a very large 10-point buck without a license. The antlers were confiscated, and a report will be submitted to the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office.
For the last month, CO James Nason has been working in conjunction with Arizona Fish and Game officers investigating a Kalamazoo area man for taking a large 6x6 elk illegally in Arizona. The suspect had allegedly fled the State of Michigan due to multiple warrants out for his arrest, including a warrant for resisting and obstructing a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks Officer in 2017. The elk in Arizona was allegedly shot with a rifle during bow season in an area closed to elk hunting. The man also used his girlfriend's license to tag the animal. They also had evidence of a 6-point mule deer which was suspected to have been taken illegally. After a lengthy investigation, Arizona Fish and Game officers executed a search warrant at the man's residence in Arizona but were unsuccessful in finding either the elk or mule deer head. Thinking the trophy racks were brought back to Michigan, CO Nason visited multiple residences in the Kalamazoo area that he had reason to believe were in relation to the suspect. After numerous knock-and-talk visits to many residences, CO Nason located grandparents to the suspect who admitted to having the racks in their house. The two trophy racks were seized as evidence and the man now faces multiple charges in both Arizona and Michigan.
CO Sam Schluckbier began an investigation after finding a suspicious deer antler rack that was located during a taxidermy inspection. The subject who tagged the 9-point antlers had never hunted before and validated the tag for the same day it was purchased. During interviews, the boyfriend admitted to killing three bucks this season and using his girlfriend's license to tag the third deer. The suspect claimed he was hunting deer for meat to provide for his family due to financial struggles he recently has experienced. When asked about why he shot a buck instead of a doe, he stated that he could not pass up the opportunity. The deer antlers were confiscated from the taxidermist and charges will be filed with the Allegan County Prosecutor's Office.
CO Sam Schluckbier and Fisheries Biologist Matt Diana met with a property owner who was accused of blocking the free passage of fish in the Rabbit River by building a rock wall. The property owner was forthcoming with the history of the wall and allowed the biologist to make recommendations on removal. After speaking with nearby property owners, it was discovered the wall had been built over five decades ago.
CO Kyle McQueer was patrolling Jordan Lake in Barry County for ice fishing activity. After checking several ice anglers, CO McQueer was approaching an individual when he observed several fish on the ice as well as half a bucket full of fish. CO McQueer contacted the individual who stated he did not know how many fish he had. CO McQueer counted the individual's fish totaling 32 sunfish. A citation was issued for possession of an over-limit of sunfish.
CO Carter Woodwyk was patrolling the area of Hamilton in Allegan County when he observed a subject operating a snowmobile on the roadway, not wearing a helmet. He witnessed the snowmobile veer across M 40, a busy state highway, and park at a gas station's fuel pump. When he contacted the operator at the fuel pump, he noticed the snowmobile's registration was expired from 2009 and had no trail permit. The operator attempted to argue that wearing a helmet is more dangerous because they fog up and hinder his ability to see while operating the snowmobile. A citation was issued for the safety violation and the snowmobile was picked up by truck and trailer to be brought back to the suspect's residence.
CO Carter Woodwyk was checking anglers at the Allegan Dam when he observed a vehicle pull up and park in a prohibited area. He contacted the driver to have him move into the parking lot and observed an open 24 ounce can of Bud Light in the driver's cupholder. The driver showed obvious signs of intoxication but there was a language barrier to further investigation. A nearby Gun Lake Tribal Public Safety Officer was available to assist with language translation and SFSTs were administered. A preliminary breath test (PBT) was also obtained with results of 0.25. The suspect was arrested and lodged at the Allegan County Jail for OWI with a high blood alcohol content.
While assisting Muskegon County on a search warrant of a residence that involved some stolen vehicles, CO Jackie Miskovich helped secure the perimeter of the area. After being at the residence for a while, with one subject having been arrested and transported to jail, a call came out on the radio that a subject had barricaded himself inside of the bathroom. CO Miskovich, along with the North Muskegon and Muskegon County officers assisted with making sure the subject did not leave out of any doors or windows. The subject was eventually talked out of the bathroom and was taken into custody.
CO Anna Cullen was patrolling northern Muskegon County when she positively identified the operator of the vehicle driving toward her in the opposite lane as an individual with a felony DNR warrant. Once the vehicle identification and plate were confirmed, CO Cullen performed a felony stop on the vehicle. With the assistance of back up units, the suspect was successfully put into custody and transported to the Muskegon County jail.
DISTRICT 8
CO Pete Purdy assisted the Livingston County Sheriff's Department with locating a Breaking and Entering suspect who fled from a traffic stop.
CO Pete Purdy responded to a 911 call of a family dispute. The caller advised that her family was not allowing her to back out of the driveway to go to work. CO Purdy arrived on scene and separated the parties. The individual was able to leave without incident.
CO Pete Purdy assisted the Livingston County Sheriff's Department with a 911 call of an abandoned building being broken into. The building was searched, and nobody was located inside the building.
CO Pete Purdy observed the driver of a vehicle cross the center line, change lanes without signaling, pass two vehicles on the right, and follow another vehicle too closely. A traffic stop was conducted. The driver had a misdemeanor warrant for shoplifting. The driver was issued a citation for careless driving. The agency holding the warrant was unable to pick the subject up.
CO Pete Purdy was on westbound I 96 when he observed a vehicle pass another vehicle from the left shoulder. CO Purdy then observed the vehicle follow another vehicle at an unsafe distance until it moved into the next lane. A traffic stop was conducted. The driver advised that he was in a hurry to get home because his dog was left alone all day. The driver was issued a citation for careless driving.
While on patrol, CO Ed Rice received a call from dispatch about an in progress domestic situation. While in route, dispatch advised the male subject, who left on foot had an outstanding felony warrant. CO Rice arrived at the residence and spoke with the complainant. CO Rice did not observe any visible physical injuries at first glance. CO Rice asked about the male's whereabouts. The complainant stated, she did not know and did not want to pursue charges. CO Rice walked around the residence and located fresh foot tracks leading into the woods. CO Rice followed the tracks and located the male subject. The man was arrested without incident and lodged at the Hillsdale County jail.
CO Todd Thorn was first on scene at a medical call received through Ingham County Central Dispatch. When CO Thorn arrived, a woman was doing CPR on a man in a garage. There was no pulse and no breathing. CO Thorn utilized an automated external defibrillator and did CPR for about seven minutes before medics arrived. The man was not revived and was assumed to have had a heart attack.
After clearing a RAP complaint in Ingham County, CO Todd Thorn observed a vehicle on private property owned by an oil company. A man was seen outside of the vehicle near some equipment left on the property. When CO Thorn approached, the man got into his vehicle and started driving away. CO Thorn contacted the driver and was told by the man that he was there because he had to urinate. CO Thorn acquired the man's identification and found that he had a suspended license and four warrants for his arrest. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle the man was driving was not insured and there was an improper plate on the vehicle. A ticket was issued, and the man was advised and released on his warrants.
While patrolling Eaton County, CO Larn R. Strawn observed a person driving at a high rate of speed. The speeding driver passed CO Strawn and sharply merged in front of him. CO Strawn paced the driver at nearly 20 mph over the speed limit. The driver was operating the vehicle with a broken taillight and no tailgate on the back with tools boxes in the cargo bed. CO Strawn conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver for the violations. During the contact, CO Strawn noticed the strong odor of intoxicants coming from the driver. CO Strawn determined the driver was intoxicated and arrested the driver for OWI. During the arrest, CO Strawn discovered the driver was concealing a loaded 9mm pistol in the vehicle and did not have a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) license. CO Strawn discovered there were no identifying marks or serial numbers on the weapon. The weapon was a "ghost" gun finished and assembled from parts that can be bought on the internet. CO Strawn checked the LEIN records and determined the subject had no firearms registered to them. CO Strawn lodged the driver at the Eaton County jail for OWI and for unlawfully concealing a pistol.
CO Larn R. Strawn received a RAP complaint of a deer hobbling around a residence and feeding on the landscaping shrubs. CO Strawn responded to the home and found the deer bedded down in the front yard. The deer became spooked and stood up. CO Strawn noticed the deer had a trapper's snare caught on one of its hind legs and a long piece of cable tangled around its neck. CO Strawn attempted to get a closer look at the deer but unfortunately the deer quickly ran off into a very dense wooded and marshy area. Although the deer was coping with the tangle it was healthy and mobile enough to run away and disappear into the wilderness. CO Strawn advised the caller to call back if the deer returns.
CO Larn R. Strawn received a RAP complaint of unlawful target shooting at the Rose Lake SGA. CO Strawn responded to the Rose Lake SGA and located three people retrieving a hanging steel target positioned in the middle of a field. CO Strawn contacted and interviewed the target shooters. CO Strawn advised the group of the rules and laws regarding target shooting on state land. CO Strawn issued warnings for not immediately disclosing their possession of concealed pistols as required by the CPL. The CPL carriers said they simply forgot they were supposed to disclose to CO Strawn.
COs Nick Wellman and Chris Reynolds went to a Privately Owned Cervidae (POC) facility in Branch County to check it for the DNR Wildlife Division. The facility received a warning the year before from CO Wellman for not keeping proper records and failing to turn in their inventory. Upon returning for the same issue this year, COs Wellman and Reynolds contacted the owner of the facility and asked him for his inventory and his fence check log. The man went into the house to "retrieve his fence record" and returned several minutes later with a freshly filled out, forged fence record. After CO Wellman pressed the facility owner on the fact that the records looked fake, he admitted to quickly filling them out while he went inside to look for them. CO Wellman cited the man for failing to maintain proper records.
DISTRICT 9
CO David Schaumburger checked a group of six ice anglers on Belleville Lake fishing for bluegill. The CO approached five of them fishing in a group and they said they were putting them all in a one bucket and did not know how many fish they caught. The CO approximated they had 70 bluegills between five of them. The CO educated them on why they needed to keep them separate and know how many fish they caught. The CO then went to the sixth angler approximately 50 yards away sitting all alone. The angler said that one of the anglers gave him approximately five fish and he had caught about 20 fish. The CO counted his bluegills and found him to be sitting on 37 bluegills. A citation was issued for possessing an over-limit of bluegill.
Area COs responded to Pte Mouillee SGA on a report that a subject had fallen through the ice. The male subject had been ice fishing out on the barrier reef and was walking across the Humphries Unit when he broke through. As officers and other emergency responders were arriving, it was found that the subject was able to self-rescue and make his way off the ice to solid ground.
On her way to Belle Isle, CO Ariel Young was first on scene to a two-car accident on the freeway. After checking on the parties involved, CO Young was assisted by the MSP. The accident was eventually turned over to the MSP and CO Young helped to control the scene and traffic until the vehicles could be removed.
CO Luke Robare was patrolling the Holloway Dam in Genesee County and checked an angler who had a walleye on his stringer. CO Robare noticed the fish looked undersized and asked the angler if he had measured it. The angler stated that he didn't measure the walleye but said he was sure it was of legal size. CO Robare measured the walleye, and it was in fact an inch undersized. The angler was issued a citation for retaining an undersized walleye.
CO Raymond Gardner was stationary in his patrol truck at the Lapeer SGA when a vehicle passed him, and a beer can was thrown out of the window. CO Gardner conducted a traffic stop and found that the driver also had a suspended driver's license. CO Gardner asked the driver why he threw the beer out of the window and the driver told him it was his brother's vehicle, and he found the can and wanted to get rid of it. CO Gardner then conducted the SFSTs and had the driver submit to a PBT.
Both of which the driver passed. A ticket was written to the driver for operating with a suspended driver's license and littering. A warning was issued for the open intoxicant.
CO Brad Silorey was working when he received a call regarding a possible angler who had fallen through the ice. The caller stated that a shanty on the ice had flipped over and they located an angler's gear with lines still in the water and items at the bottom of the lake. The caller stated that there were many empty beer cans and no one around. After inspecting the area for several minutes, several snowmobile riders approached the location and claimed that it was their equipment and they had left it out overnight. CO Silorey explained the situation and advised them that they were no longer allowed to leave shanties on the ice of lake St. Clair due to being past the removal date. A citation was issued for operating a snowmobile without a helmet, and a verbal warning for unattended lines.
CO Joseph Deppen was checking anglers in a local marina. CO Deppen noticed three lines in the water, away from an angler. Even though the angler had his back to CO Deppen, small arm movements could be seen. CO Deppen approached the angler and he attempted to pull in a fourth line and pole he was using in his jacket. CO Deppen asked how many lines he was allowed, and the angler responded, "three lines." CO Deppen asked why he was fishing with four and the angler said he forgot about his other lines. A citation was issued for fishing with more than three lines.
CO Joseph Deppen was checking anglers on Lake St. Clair. CO Deppen saw a lone angler fishing who had two-tip ups around him. The angler pulled his shanty over when he saw the CO approaching. CO Deppen announced himself and the angler was heard shuffling around in his shanty. The angler opened his shanty and three holes and three fishing poles laying on the ice were in the shanty. The poles were still dripping with water, but the man said he was using only one pole in the shanty. CO Deppen asked for his fishing license, and the angler said, "I was just about to buy one of those." CO Deppen gave verbal warnings for un-labeled tip-ups. The angler was issued a citation for fishing without a license.
CO Joseph Deppen was checking anglers on Lake St. Clair. CO Deppen noticed a shanty with its door flap open. CO Deppen saw four ice fishing holes drilled in the ice. CO Deppen announced himself and the angler flipped open the flap. Inside the shanty in plain view were three poles and one smaller fishing pole hidden behind a bucket with a plain line going into the water. CO Deppen questioned the angler about the fourth line. The angler looked down and said, "What line, only have three lines." CO Deppen picked up the fourth line and showed it to the angler. The angler responded, "I forgot about that one." A citation was issued for fishing with more than three lines.
CO Joseph Deppen was checking anglers ice fishing on Lake St. Clair. CO Deppen approached a family of four anglers. Two out of the four anglers did not have fishing licenses or identification. CO Deppen checked through dispatch and it was reported that one angler had felony warrants for his arrest. CO Deppen walked over to the subject and told him he was under arrest and to kneel and place his hands behind his back. The subject responded with, "Nope!" and started running toward shore. CO Deppen shouted again to stop and that he was under arrest. A short foot pursuit ensued, and CO Deppen was able to apprehend the suspect. The subject continued to fight and resist arrest. The subject was finally handcuffed and taken into custody. The subject was lodged at the county jail for outstanding warrants, and CO Deppen is seeking additional charges of fishing without a license, assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest.
CO Joseph Deppen was checking anglers along Lake St. Clair. CO Deppen noticed a shanty off in the distance. As CO Deppen approached the shanty, the angler inside peered out the open door and saw CO Deppen. Immediately the angler started shuffling around and CO Deppen could hear splashing. CO Deppen peered inside the open shanty and saw the angler dumping fish down his ice fishing hole. CO Deppen told the angler to stop and opened the shanty and put his boot over the hole. Additional dead fish were scooped out of the hole and the angler was over his daily perch limit. The angler said he was just about to count as the CO approached. CO Deppen told the angler to keep a count as he is catching the fish, not catching as many as he can and sort through them later. The angler was given a verbal warning on recreational trespass and was issued a citation for over limit of perch.
CO Joseph Deppen was observing anglers ice fishing during the last ice. CO Deppen made his way to a group of two anglers and one angler popped his head up and ran to his bucket and threw some fish down in the ice fishing hole. CO Deppen could not see exactly how many were thrown in the hole, but they were gone when the CO got there. The angler said he had 25 perch in his bucket and some walleye. CO Deppen asked about the size of the walleye and the angler responded, "They are all good." CO Deppen measured the walleye and one of the three measured 11 inches. CO Deppen said, "This one is not good!" The angler responded, yeah, but we can just throw that one back. CO Deppen issued the angler a citation for possession of undersized walleye and was given a verbal warning on recreational trespass.
CO Nicholas Ingersoll was patrolling for hunting activity during the evening hours when he observed a GMC Sierra fail to stop at a stop sign. CO Ingersoll stopped the pickup for the violation. While approaching the vehicle CO Ingersoll discovered an open alcohol container that the subject tried to hide in the back seat. CO Ingersoll asked the driver how much he had to drink, and the driver stated that he probably had too much to drink and should not be driving. CO Ingersoll had the subject perform sobriety tests and a PBT which showed the subject was well over the legal limit. The driver was arrested for OWI and lodged in the Monroe County jail.
CO Brandon Hartleben went out to check a group of ice anglers on Independence Lake and observed many tip-ups in use. All three subjects in the group were observed jigging and they had a total of eight tip-ups out, putting them a combined two lines over. One of the members of the group took responsibility for the additional lines, and a citation was issued for fishing with more than three lines.
As CO Ariel Young was getting ready to end her shift on Belle Isle, she observed a wrong way driver travelling into oncoming traffic. CO Young initiated a traffic stop and contacted the individual. The return from dispatch stated that the plate was invalid for fraudulent insurance reasons and to confiscate. The driver was also unable to locate their proof of insurance and registration. The driver failed to transfer their driver's license to Michigan after moving here a year ago. CO Young confiscated the plate and issued citations for driving the wrong way down the one-way road and failing to provide proof of insurance. The driver was issued written warnings for the other violations.
After stopping a vehicle travelling the wrong direction on a one-way street on Belle Isle, CO Ariel Young discovered the individual had multiple warrants out for their arrest. The individual was wanted by a nearby county and placed under arrest after the warrants were confirmed and validated. The individual was then held until the neighboring county could make it to the island and be turned over. The individual was subsequently cited for operating the wrong way on a one-way road.
On her patrol of Belle Isle, CO Ariel Young with Sgt. Chris Maher discovered a vehicle stuck in the mud in the athletic fields. Upon contact with the occupants, the driver stated that they were attempting to avoid the puddle in the road and opted to take the grass around and then became stuck. CO Young instructed the driver to call their roadside assistance for a tow truck as they were not going to be able to drive out without destroying the field. The driver was cited for operating a motor vehicle in an unauthorized area and warned about operating a motor vehicle beyond the restrictions of their license. The driver was then subsequently warned for littering as their smoothie cup was left lying in the grass outside the driver's door.
CO Nicholas Ingersoll and Sgt. Chris Maher conducted a Belle Isle patrol on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The COs received a call about a vehicle that had gotten stuck in the mud near the basketball courts. The COs responded and located an elderly gentleman in a Mercedes Benz stuck in the grass. The COs spoke with the driver and he advised he just wanted to check out the basketball and racquetball courts for this summer so he could play. Stating he wanted a tow; the COs had a tow service called on scene. Once it was time to pay the towing company it was determined the driver did not have the proper funds and was unable to pay the towing company. The driver vehicle was impounded until he could provide proper funds to the towing company for their services.
While CO Nicholas Ingersoll and Sgt. Chris Maher were clearing an incident on Belle Isle, a similar incident was dispatched to the COs, this time a Chevrolet Malibu was stuck in the grass near the playground. The COs arrived on scene and contacted the driver who stated she did not want her son playing in the mud, so she tried driving to the playground. While the COs were speaking with the driver, they were watching the son play in the mud puddles that surrounded the Malibu. After retrieving the driver's information, it was determined that she did not have insurance on the vehicle, and she did not have a valid driver's license nor the funds to allow the company to pull the vehicle from the mud. After speaking with the driver, the COs impounded the vehicle due to the issues.
While patrolling Belle Isle, CO Nicholas Ingersoll and Sgt Chris Maher were contacted by a passerby advising that a four-wheeler was riding around on the trails near the USCG Station. The COs contacted the driver of the four-wheeler who was out enjoying his Sunday evening riding his quad around. The COs advised the driver that operating a four-wheeler on Belle Isle was not allowed. They provided the driver with places to operate his four-wheeler legally and issued him a citation for operating his four-wheeler in a closed area.
Great Lakes Enforcement Unit (GLEU)
Cpl. Brett DeLonge conducted an AIS inspection at PetSmart in Marquette after learning of the possible zebra mussel contamination in aquarium moss balls. Cpl. DeLonge met with store manager and after inspecting several containers of Marimo Moss Ball Plants found multiple containers with zebra mussels. The manager was notified, and the containers were seized.
Cpl. Nick Torsky attended a meeting of the Organisms-in-Trade (OIT) sub-committee of the AIS Core Team. Topics discussed included updates of the MSUE RIPPLE (Reduce Invasive Pet and Plant Escapes) program, and LE follow-up on OIT business registrations and reporting.
Lt. Mike Feagan and Cpl. Nick Torsky attended the monthly AIS Core Team meeting. Various members and committees of the team gave updates, and a joint invasive plant research project was discussed.
Cpl. Nick Torsky inspected several businesses in Gaylord and Petoskey in response to shipments of "moss balls" containing live zebra and quagga mussels to pet stores across the country. One business was contacted that did have questionable specimens. They had already been contacted by their corporate headquarters and had quarantined the specimens.
Cpl. Troy VanGelderen checked pet stores around the Muskegon area to determine if anyone had any of the Marimo Moss Balls containing Zebra Mussels. Cpl. VanGelderen discovered that the word was spreading quickly, and everyone had their moss balls quarantined already. The companies were either waiting for further word from their corporate office or they had directions on how to destroy the balls and euthanize the mussels if found. No mussels were discovered at the time of the inspections.
Cpl. Sean Kehoe observed two subjects fishing too many lines on Long Lake. Upon contact, it was evident that one of the fishermen was fishing with four tip ups. The subject was apologetic and somewhat embarrassed about his error. He insisted that he had never done this kind of thing before until Cpl. Kehoe ran a DNR priors check and found out that he had done it at least one other time when he got a ticket for that time as well. Enforcement action taken.
