5/11/2025-5/24/2025

DISTRICT 1

Conservation Officer (CO) Brian Lasanen assisted with teaching hunter safety at South Range Elementary School for the 6th grade students.

COs Brian Lasanen and Byron Parks assisted with an overdue/missing 66-year-old with dementia. She went for a walk with her dog and the dog returned but she did not. The COs walked to the end of the road and down a nearby trail. After walking approximately 1/2 mile down the trail, the COs heard what sounded like breaking tree branches. The COs walked towards the sounds and located the missing person. She was safe and sound and was agitated that they woke her up from her nap. The COs were able to convince the woman to walk out of the woods and back to her home. The COs walked with the woman back down the trail to her waiting husband.

COs Byron Parks, Brian Lasanen, Pete Shambaugh and Corporal (Cpl.) Doug Hermanson worked a shooting range detail for students staying at Camp Nesbit. Near the end of each school year, local schools stay at Camp Nesbit for multiple days participating in outdoor activities. The students were from Dollar Bay and Lake Linden schools. Each student was instructed on firearm safety and was able to shoot a 20-gauge shotgun at clay pigeons.

COs Byron Parks, Brian Lasanen, and Pete Shambaugh participated in the Upper Peninsula (UP) Peace Officer Memorial held this year in Houghton County. The ceremony honored law enforcement officers who fell in the line of duty from the UP and bordering counties in Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada.

CO Byron Parks assisted at a shooting range for students staying at Camp Lahti in Houghton County. Near the end of each school year, local schools stay at Camp Lahti for multiple days participating in outdoor activities. The students were from Painesdale and South Range schools. Each student was instructed on firearm safety and were able to shoot a .22 caliber bolt action rifle at a target.

CO Ethen Mapes was working a marine patrol on Lake Gogebic during the walleye opener when winds picked up and a storm made the lake unfishable. CO Mapes stayed at the launch to assist boats dock and load in the rough water. Roughly twenty boats were assisted off the lake with the help of local anglers and CO Mapes. 

In Menominee County, COs Phill Helminen and Steve Sajtar assisted with searching for two suspects that fled from a Hannahville Police Department (HPD) officer. When the HPD officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle, the two suspects fled. The vehicle pursuit reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour (mph). The pursuit ended when the two fleeing suspects abandoned the vehicle in a field and fled on foot into a densely wooded area. The vehicle was found to have been stolen from West Branch. COs Helminen and Sajtar assisted local law enforcement in searching for the two suspects. A police K9 and multiple drones were utilized. Less than two hours from the start of the vehicle pursuit, the two suspects were located and apprehended by law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing.

COs Phil Helminen, Alex VanWagner, and Anna Viau instructed at a hunter safety field day in Iron County. The COs taught the participants about wilderness first aid and what to do if they were to get lost.

CO Jeremy Sergey received a report of a young child walking alone near M-553 in Gwinn. CO Sergey located the child in the tree line along the highway, who appeared very cold and wet. The weather was cold and rainy. The child stated he was trying to walk to school which was 12 miles away. CO Sergey placed the child in his patrol truck to warm him up. CO Sergey and the Forsyth Police Department tracked the child’s dad down with a phone number and had him show up at their location. The child was brought to school, and the incident was turned over to CPS.

Sergeant (Sgt.) Mark Leadman was informed of some damage done to the Skoglund Erickson Memorial Shooting Range in Marquette County. Sgt. Leadman arrived and found the parking lot had been all torn up by a vehicle spinning doughnuts and throwing the gravel everywhere. One section of split-rail fence had also been broken. The vehicle in question was extremely easy to identify since it had the roof cut off and roll bars were installed. Sgt. Leadman monitored the range the following day and observed the same vehicle pull into the range and the driver started talking with several people utilizing the range. The subject was pulled off the firing line and questioned about the incident. A full confession was quickly obtained and the subject agreed to fix all the damage. For two days the subject and his buddy returned to the range with rakes and shovels to get all the large pieces of gravel out of the grass and smooth out the ruts in the parking area. The split rail fence was also mended until a replacement section can be purchased. Enforcement action is on hold until all work is completed.

DISTRICT 2

CO Brandon Maki was on patrol when he observed an individual fishing on a stream near a bridge. CO Maki observed this fisherman and another, nearly under the bridge, fishing for some time. CO Maki checked the original fisherman’s license, and the second fisherman then made his way over without his fishing rod. When asked about fishing, the second fisherman stated he had not been fishing. CO Maki informed him that was not the truth and found his fishing rod nearby with a spinner still in the water. CO Maki cited the subject for the violation.

CO Steve Butzin assisted Menominee County Sheriff’s deputies in the search for a subject who led deputies on a high-speed chase before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing the scene on foot. Warrants are being sought by sheriff’s deputies.

COs Scott Pankow and Cpl. Cole VanOosten initiated a traffic stop on a truck pulling a boat without any trailer lights on M-28 west of Newberry. CO Pankow checked the fish they caught and located a short walleye. The individual was cited for possessing an undersized walleye.

COs Scott Pankow and Lieutenant (Lt.) Skip Hagy worked an off-road vehicle (ORV) patrol on Drummond Island and the Detour area during Memorial Day weekend. CO Pankow and Lt. Hagy cited multiple ORVs and utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) for on highway operation, no seat belts, no ORV licenses, and allowing an under 12-year-old to operate without supervision. CO Pankow and Lt. Hagy also cited an individual for failing to move over for a stationary emergency vehicle and no proof of insurance when the suspect driver/vehicle came within a few feet of CO Pankow and the driver of the vehicle they were on a traffic stop with. The driver also proceeded to blow the horn as she passed close by. This took place on a straight stretch of highway with no other traffic present, once stopped the driver offered no reason other than they were standing in the road. The suspect was living here on a work visa from another country. CO Pankow and Lt. Hagy also cited an individual for possessing a short bass. Along with the 15 tickets issued during the patrol, numerous verbal warnings were also given.

CO Mike Olesen spoke at a marine safety presentation on marine safety laws.

CO Mike Olesen hosted a hunter education course along with a field day for 36 individuals. The Chippewa County Shooting Association provided volunteers for the field day. 

DISTRICT 3

CO Nathan Beelman received a call from the Charlevoix County Sherrif’s Department while they were in the process of serving eviction paperwork regarding the unlawful disposal of solid waste. CO Beelman responded and was taken around the back of the home where the previous occupants had burned diapers, household garbage, beds, and scrap metal, among other items, prior to being evicted. CO Beelman and sheriff’s deputies attempted to contact the previous tenants but were unable to make contact. Charges will be sought for unlawful disposal of solid waste and burning without a burn permit due to the burning ban that was in place.

CO Chad Baldwin attended the annual Youth Day event at the Charlevoix Rod and Gun Club where he spoke with kids of all ages as well as many parents about various topics such as hunter safety, upcoming deer season law changes, spring turkey season, and fishing. CO Baldwin also had his fur kit on hand and allowed the visitors to get an up-close look at many fur bearing animals from the local area.

COs Chad Baldwin and Jack Gorno attended the Boyne City Middle School Salmon in the Classroom release event near the mouth of the Boyne River. The COs spoke with sixth and eighth graders about the program and had local animal furs on site for the students to learn about. The COs quizzed the students on species identification and explained the history and value of the fur trade and fur harvesting in Michigan. Overall, the COs interacted with about a hundred students.
COs Jack Gorno and Adam LeClerc were working a large dumpsite complaint on state land near the Cheboygan/Emmet County line The dumpsite contained an estimate 75 tires and 90 wood pallets. Both COs were able to catch the subject dumping a couch in the act. CO LeClerc issued a ticket for unlawful disposal of solid waste and advised all parties involved must clean up the site by the end of the weekend.

CO Andrea Albert worked a complaint of a subject who had shot a turkey without a license. CO Albert contacted the suspect, and he admitted that he shot a turkey several days prior and had not purchased a license. The turkey breasts and tail feathers were seized, and charges will be sought for taking a turkey without a license.

CO Jon Sklba conducted two separate presentations to local Alpena County schools about being a CO. The young students especially liked the fur kit CO Sklba was able to bring along and pass around.

CO Jon Sheppard conducted targeted marine and fish patrols on Fletchers Flooding and Lake Winyah. Several anglers were contacted. One angler was fishing without a valid fishing license. A ticket was issued for fishing without a license.

DISTRICT 4

While patrolling state land in Grand Traverse County, COs William Kinney and Charlie Jones located a camp in the woods and made contact due to some land use violations discovered while driving past. The COs contacted two individuals, and it was discovered that one of the campers had an outstanding warrant for their arrest out of Jackson County. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Grand Traverse County Jail.

CO William Haskin was patrolling Wexford County for ORVs operating in prohibited areas. CO Haskin discovered multiple locations that had noticeable erosion due to the heavy traffic. CO Haskin stopped numerous ORVs and dirt bikes and cited them for operating in the closed areas.

CO Angela Greenway and Sgt. Ben Shively were patrolling the gas fields and the Martiny Lake State Game Area for illegal ORV activity in Mecosta County when they conducted a traffic stop on a dirt bike exiting the posted gas fields onto an illegal roadway in the game area. The operator was found to have a plated street legal dirt bike but had removed the insurance for it, was trespassing in the gas fields, and operating an ORV in a closed area in the game area. The subject was cited for operating in a closed area.

COs Ryan Jager and Cameron Wright were checking shore anglers in Pentwater when Oceana County deputies were called to a nearby residence for a highly intoxicated subject who was becoming assaultive with his parents. When they arrived on scene, they found the parents holding the uncooperative subject on the ground as he was out of control. The parents reported their son had climbed onto the hood of their vehicle and ripped the windshield wipers off the vehicle. The COs detained the subject until deputies arrived and assisted with transporting the subject to the hospital with emergency medical services (EMS) to be evaluated before he was arrested and lodged at the Oceana County Jail. The subject had a court order prohibiting him from consuming alcohol.

While patrolling on the Muskegon River, COs Tim Barboza and Cameron Wright were contacted over the radio by a Newaygo City officer for an individual who was about to jump from the railroad bridge into the river. COs Barboza and Wright turned the boat around and positioned themselves in case the subject jumped. The Newaygo officer contacted the individual on the bridge and was able to talk him off the bridge. The subject was transported to the hospital for evaluation.

While on patrol in Newaygo County, CO Tim Barboza observed a motorcycle coming up behind him at a high rate of speed on M-37. The motorcycle passed CO Barboza and obtained a radar reading of over 10 mph over the speed limit. CO Barboza ran the plate of the motorcycle which showed the owner having a felony warrant out of Kent County for torturing/killing animals. CO Barboza requested backup and conducted a traffic stop on the motorcycle. CO Barboza advised the reason for the stop and asked for the subject’s driver’s license. Once CO Barboza confirmed it was the individual listed on the warrant, CO Barboza advised him of the warrant and placed him under arrest. The male was lodged in the Newaygo County Jail.

While on patrol in Newaygo County, CO Tim Barboza heard dispatch advise of a motorcycle personal injury accident. CO Barboza came across the accident as it was being called out. The motorcycle’s rear tire had blown out causing the bike to lose control and the driver and passenger were thrown from the bike. Neither of the riders were wearing helmets. The passenger was taken by Aero Med to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. The driver was also taken to the hospital by ambulance.

DISTRICT 5

CO Alex Bourgeois was patrolling around Sand Lake in Iosco County when he observed a man driving a three-wheeler with a small child on his lap. He initiated a traffic stop, and upon addressing the violation, the man stated that he had the child on his lap because it was difficult to have him sit on the cargo crate at the back of the ORV. A ticket was issued for operating with more passengers than the vehicle was designed.

While patrolling around Sand Lake, CO Alex Bourgeois observed a golf cart pass by with all passengers holding beers. He conducted a traffic stop and addressed the violation. The passengers dumped their drinks and tickets were issued for open intoxicants.

CO Alex Bourgeois responded to a call about a man who had shot and killed himself on the pier in Tawas City. He arrived on scene and assisted local agencies in securing the area and investigating the incident.

CO Tyler Sabuda was working in Iosco County when he observed a group of ORVs accelerating through a residential area after exiting an ORV trail. He was able to stop the lead ORV, which was traveling approximately three times faster than the posted ORV speed limit. The operator received a citation for the violation.

CO Ryan Weakman arrested a subject with outstanding warrants after stopping an ORV for expired license stickers. Upon contacting the driver, the individual admitted to having a suspended operator’s license. All three warrants out of Clare County were also for driving on a suspended license. A citation was issued for operating an ORV with a suspended license and the individual was turned over to the Clare County Sheriff’s Department for transport to jail.

Following up on a previous incident involving a fatal car/bear collision that left an orphaned cub, CO Kevin Bunce met with a biologist from the Wildlife Division. The biologist informed him that the black bear cub was successfully accepted by a wild surrogate mother bear.

COs Kyle Cherry and Jacob Hamilton were on patrol in Kalkaska County when they responded to an ORV crash on the trail system. Upon arrival, they gathered information from drivers and passengers. It was discovered that one of the passengers had been the driver of one of the side-by-sides and had a revoked license, as well as an outstanding warrant. The person who claimed to be the driver also could not legally operate a vehicle. Law enforcement action was taken.

District 5 COs conducted surveillance over the weekend at a state forest campground pay pipe that had been regularly broken into. They arrested a male suspect in the act of stealing from the pay pipe. The suspect admitted to stealing from the campgrounds for over a year. The case was turned over to the Crawford County prosecutor for review.

COs Craig Neal and Joshua Jobin responded to a report from Arenac County Central Dispatch of a possibly capsized sailboat off the south side of Point Au Gres in rough conditions with 20 mph east winds and 4 to 5-foot waves. After retrieving their patrol boat from the Standish Field Office, they launched from the Au Gres River Mouth. Deputies confirmed the boat was beached 300 to 400 yards offshore but not capsized. The waves made it unsafe for the occupants to reach shore. COs Neal and Jobin navigated to the boat, brought both individuals aboard, and transported them to a private launch owned by the Au Gres Boat Club Association. The occupants were transferred to deputies who assisted them in returning to their vehicle.

CO Joshua Jobin assisted the Arenac County Sheriff’s Office in arresting three subjects on felony warrants for assaulting a deputy the previous night. Two individuals were arrested at the sheriff’s office and a third was arrested at the residence where the assault occurred.

COs Josh Russell and Mike Haas issued over 30 citations in Gladwin County during the Memorial Day weekend. Violations included illegal camping, unlicensed ORVs, ORVs exceeding the 25-mph speed limit, operation in closed areas, illegal lights, causing erosion, and lacking required safety equipment.
CO Kyle Bader assisted the West Branch Police Department with a juvenile in Irons Park found in possession of a handgun. The pistol was seized, and the teen was turned over to his parents. The investigation is ongoing. 

DISTRICT 6

CO Jason Ruth was patrolling on Flajole Road near River Road when he noticed two large fires burning. CO Ruth noticed the smoke wasn’t the color that it should have been for brush fires and contact was made with the landowner. CO Ruth asked him why the fires were so black when he started them up. He told CO Ruth that he used a lot of gas to get them going. CO Ruth and the landowner approached the fire and immediately CO Ruth observed numerous items that were not legal to burn. Items in the fire included a bathroom tub, garden hose, and building materials. It appeared he was burning buildings a little at a time. CO Ruth issued a citation for open burn of solid waste.

DISTRICT 7

CO Carter Woodwyk checked a vessel near the Calkins Dam in Allegan County that had just returned to shore from the Kalamazoo River. The CO could not see the registration numbers on the vessel due to them not being a contrasting color. The vessel was occupied by four subjects who stated they had just returned from the M-89 boating access site. When the CO requested to see four personal flotation devices (PFDs), one for each subject, they were only able to provide two. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Sam Schluckbier located a vehicle parked in a section of the Allegan State Game Area that was suspicious in nature. CO Schluckbier followed tracks into the woods, expecting to locate turkey hunters. However, the smell of marijuana in the air made it easy for CO Schluckbier to find two young adults not actively hunting or fishing. The young couple were found in possession of marijuana in a public area. The male subject admitted to using the substance prior to informing CO Schluckbier of his concealed pistol, holstered on his hip. Due to the several violations for controlled substances and firearms, enforcement action was taken.

CO Rob Slick and the District 7 intern patrolled the Grand River during the Memorial Day Holiday. Shortly after launching, CO Slick noticed a boat displaying an expired registration. CO Slick initiated a stop to address the violation. Once contact was made with the operator, it was found that the vessel had no safety equipment as well as being unregistered. CO Slick issued a citation for the violation.

DISTRICT 8

COs Wes Butler and Brandon Benedict were patrolling for marine activity on Lobdell Lake when they spotted a couple anglers fishing from shore. COs Butler and Benedict approached the anglers for a routine fishing check. CO Benedict asked both anglers for their fishing license, but they said they were from out of state. CO Benedict explained to the anglers that they were still required to have a fishing license even if they are not a Michigan resident. COs Butler and Benedict issued the anglers tickets for the violation.

DISTRICT 9

CO Kris Kiel was patrolling the Wetzel Recreation Area for illegal ORV activity and contacted an angler. Wetzel Recreation Area is not known for fishing activity. The angler stated that he had caught only “small ones.”  CO Kiel looked in the angler’s bucket and observed about a dozen small panfish and a short largemouth bass. When CO Kiel brought the bass to the angler’s attention, the angler stated that he thought it was bass season. CO Kiel assured him that bass season had opened today, but unfortunately the fish was undersized by about three inches. When asked to see the angler’s fishing license, he stated that he had not bought one yet this year. CO Kiel allowed the angler to release the bass but issued him a citation for failing to provide a fishing license.

COs Nicholas Ingersoll and Sgt. Shane Webster were checking anglers at the DTE fishing piers that are known as the “Hot Ponds” when they came across one angler who was packing up. The COs asked how the fishing was, and the angler stated it was great, and he probably had a few too many fish though. The COs counted the anglers catch and determined that he was 16 channel catfish over his limit. The angler was cited for possessing an over-limit of channel catfish.

COs Nicholas Ingersoll and Sgt. Shane Webster were just finishing up issuing a citation for an over-limit of channel catfish at the DTE fishing piers along Plum Creek, when they encountered two anglers counting out two limits of channel catfish. The COs checked their fishing licenses and determined that one of the anglers did not possess a fishing license. While the COs were discussing the licensing issue, they observed a stringer with three other channel catfish thrown over the pier. After speaking with both anglers, it was determined that the angler who did not have a fishing license saw the COs issuing the citation on the pier and knew he was over his limit. So, he decided he would cut his stringer and throw the channel catfish over the pier to hide them from the COs. The angler who tossed the fish was also the one who did not possess a fishing license. He was issued a citation for possessing fish without a license and warned for his over limit violation and the fish were released back into the water.

CO Nicholas Ingersoll was checking anglers along Halfway Creek when he spoke with two anglers having decent luck on white bass. CO Ingersoll checked the anglers’ cooler, and it was determined that they were 17 white bass over the limit. The anglers were cited for the over-limit of white bass.

While on patrol at Belle Isle Park, CO Nick McNamee issued multiple citations for speeding 50 mph in a 25-mph zone. He also issued a citation for passing on the right shoulder; the operator passed through the designated parking spots trying to beat the backup for geese crossing the road.

CO Michael Lator was patrolling on Belle Isle when he observed an individual climbing the locked fence surrounding a giant slide and beginning to climb the steps to the slide. The CO approached the man and ordered him to climb back over the fence. The man complied and advised CO Lator that he just wanted to go down the slide in memory of a family member who had passed away. The CO informed the man that the slide was closed, and that he cannot just climb a locked fence/enclosure to get to places where people are not supposed to be. CO Lator issued the man a citation for entering an unauthorized area.

COs Jeremy Beavers and Sgt. Jason Becker were on their last check of Belle Isle to make sure all visitors had left for the day and observed a vehicle drive to Sunset Point and park. To get there, the driver had to go around a barricade and past a security guard to enter the park. When the COs contacted the subjects, they could not remember seeing the barricades or the security guard, even though they both had been there for approximately 45 minutes. The driver was issued a citation for entering the state park after hours and escorted out of the park.

While working an assigned Belle Isle shift, CO Sydney Griffor was running speed RADAR on the island. CO Griffor clocked a vehicle traveling 47 mph in a posted 25 mph zone. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was issued a citation for speeding.

GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)

Cpl. Todd Sumbera and Sault Tribe CO Mike Povey patrolled Whitefish Point, checking nets inside the bay. A total of 13 nets were checked, all of which were properly marked.

Cpls. Cole VanOosten and Todd Sumbera conducted wholesale inspections on three wholesale markets, with no violations encountered. The officers were given a tour of the wholesale markets and how they conduct business on a day-to-day basis.

Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen patrolled Lake Michigan out of Muskegon, checking anglers. One angler was cited for fishing with too many lines.

Cpl. Pat Hartsig worked an overnight shift observing sturgeon fishermen, collecting intelligence and ensuring no fish were taken out of season.  

Cpl. Pat Hartsig assisted District 9 officers with a patrol targeting walleye over limits at a popular shore fishing location. 

Cpl. Nick Atkin followed up with a local pet shop selling turtles, discovering they were following all regulations.

Cpl. Tom Peterson responded to a call in Houghton County of an elderly couple’s son, who was wanted for felony assault/ strangulation charges, had entered the residence and set the home on fire. The elderly couple was able to flee the residence before the home became fully engulfed. Cpl. Peterson was one of the first responding units on scene and began to assist Houghton County sheriff deputies and MSP troopers in clearing outbuildings and barns on the property. After the property was cleared, Cpl. Peterson participated in a 4-hour multiagency search, clearing nearby properties and camps. The situation came to an end when the remains of the suspect were found in the rubble of the burned home.

Cpl. Brett DeLonge took a complaint from local tribal commercial fisherman that a net appeared to be tampered with. Both anchors were dragged towards the net, and approximately 1800ft of net was damaged. The investigation continues.