8/3/2025-8/16/2025

District 1 counties of service: Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon.

Conservation Officers (COs) Phil Helminen and Zach Painter and Probationary Conservation Officers (PCOs) Matthew Bowser and Olivia Haerr attended a hunter safety class at the Sagola Sportsman's Club and gave a presentation on deer hunting laws and regulations.

CO Alex VanWagner and PCO Olivia Haerr worked a night shift and observed a three-wheeler in Caspian traveling with no headlight and a male subject operating without a helmet on. The COs observed something on the back of the three-wheeler but couldn’t tell if it was a person or not due to it being dark. The all-terrain vehicle (ATV) was observed traveling at a high rate of speed through town and disregarded a stop sign. The COs located the ATV parked in the weeds near a business in town with the operator and female subject attempting to hide near the ATV. Both subjects showed signs of intoxication. Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) were administered to the operator and a preliminary breath test (PBT) sample was given. The operator was arrested for operating while intoxicated (OWI), taken for a legal blood draw, and lodged in the Iron County Jail. A report was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review.

In rural Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar assisted a Michigan State Police (MSP) trooper with a trespassing complaint. A homeowner had called 911 after seeing an unfamiliar male peeping into the homeowner’s windows around 11:00 PM central standard time. The homeowner was armed and had told the suspect to leave several times, but the suspect refused. The CO, trooper, and a Menominee County sheriff deputy arrived on scene and observed the subject still standing on the homeowner’s porch. The suspect admitted to driving an off-road vehicle (ORV) from approximately 20 miles away while intoxicated. The suspect also admitted to peeping in the homeowner’s window to watch one of the children inside the residence. When CO Sajtar ran a file on the suspect, Menominee County Central Dispatch advised the suspect was known to be a violent gang member in the State of Virgina. The suspect was arrested for disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing. The investigation was turned over to Menominee County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.

While on marine patrol on Lake Michigan, CO Steve Sajtar observed a 14-foot vessel occupied by six individuals. All six individuals were observed fishing. When CO Sajtar approached the vessel to check fishing licenses, he noticed there were no personal flotation devices (PFDs) aboard the vessel. The vessel operator was unable to produce any PFDs or a boater safety certificate when asked to do so. Additionally, the vessel’s registration was expired. CO Sajtar issued multiple verbal warnings and a citation for failure to carry, store, and maintain marine safety equipment aboard the vessel.

District 2 counties of service: Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac, Luce, Schoolcraft.

CO Steve Butzin assisted the Delta County Sheriff’s Department on three separate marine safety calls in one shift. Several boaters in Little and Big Bay de Noc found themselves stranded in the water and in need of a tow back to safety. The reason for the tows ranged from defective equipment to damaged propellers from running into rocks.

Female COs from across the state attended the first ever Women Warriors of the Wild Conference at the Michigan’s Ralph A. McMullan (RAM) Center in Roscommon. They were accompanied by female COs from Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Mozambique, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The officers were given presentations for topics including, but not limited to search and rescue, waterfowl identification, falconry, brain health, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Michigan’s Great Lakes Enforcement Unit (GLEU), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) detectives, fly fishing, and history of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Several District 2 COs attended the Upper Peninsula State Fair at the DNR Pocket Park in Escanaba. The COs contacted many outdoorsmen and women and answered questions from hunting and fishing to ORV and marine law.

CO Michael Evink assisted Corporal (Cpl.) Cole VanOosten with a hunter’s safety class in Munising. Thirty-five certificates were issued.

COs Scott Pankow and Acting Sgt. Justin Vinson were on marine patrol on the Tahquamenon River. CO Pankow observed two kayakers without life jackets with them. CO Pankow cited both individuals for no personal flotation devices (PFDs) on kayaks.

District 3 counties of service: Alpena, Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego, Presque Isle.

CO Nathan Beelman assisted the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Department with a domestic assault call that involved injuries. CO Beelman was the second officer on scene and assisted with scene security and interviews. An arrest was made by the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Department.

CO Adam LeClerc was able to get in contact with a dispersed campsite that has been in the same spot for over six weeks. Upon interviewing the suspect, they admitted to leaving the camp set up and only changing the dates and names on the camp cards. A ticket was issued for dispersed camp on state land more than 15 consecutive days.

CO Chad Baldwin assisted the US Coast Guard (USCG) with a search and rescue attempt of two swimmers lost in Lake Michigan. A call came out that two swimmers had not been seen for 15 to 20 minutes by their family on shore. CO Baldwin was only several minutes from his patrol boat moored at the USCG station. Once CO Baldwin arrived, the USCG was just returning to the dock after a routine patrol and had not received the call yet, so CO Baldwin jumped on their vessel and briefed the crew. Together they searched the area and last-known location until a second call came out stating that both swimmers had made it back to shore nowhere near their last known point. Both swimmers were uninjured and did not require any medical treatment.

CO Duane Budreau, along with a caseworker from the Northern Michigan Community Action Agency, worked together to assist a homeless individual who had been squatting on state land for an extended period. The man’s presence had caused tension with local user groups who wished to access the same area. By coordinating resources, they helped the subject transition toward more stable housing. Their efforts balanced community needs, environmental stewardship, and human dignity, turning a conflict into an opportunity for positive change.

CO Jon Sklba responded to an abandoned camp complaint in Cheboygan County. CO Sklba was able to locate the camp and contact the party responsible to advise them to remove their property from public lands.

CO Jon Sklba stopped at a popular remote camping site in Presque Isle County and talked with some of the campers. While talking with some campers, another camper decided to smoke marijuana while relaxing at the beach. CO Sklba contacted the individual who stated he had seen the CO but wanted to smoke the marijuana. A ticket was issued for using marijuana in public.

CO Jon Sklba was on patrol in Presque Isle County when he observed a motor vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed on M-33. CO Sklba used his radar and determined the vehicle was travelling nearly 90 miles per hour (mph) in a posted 65-mph zone. CO Sklba conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver. During the stop, CO Sklba observed signs of intoxication, and the operator admitted he may be intoxicated due to drinking so much the night before. SFSTs were performed and failed. Additionally, the subject was operating on a suspended driver’s license. The subject was arrested for OWI third offense and driving while license suspended.

CO Jon Sheppard attended a hunter safety class at Alpena Sportsman Club. CO Sheppard presented the law and ethics portion of the class, discussed the roles and responsibilities of a CO, and answered any questions the students had.

CO Jon Sheppard responded to a report of a suicidal male in Alpena County. CO Sheppard assisted an MSP trooper on scene and eventually persuaded the man to be admitted to the hospital for treatment due to suicidal behavior.

COs Dan Liestenfeltz and Nathan Beelman instructed a First-Aid refresher course for members of the Wildlife Division. The COs instructed material such as basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and tourniquet application, to name a few.

Sgt. Paul Fox conducted a Great Lakes patrol with the Presque Isle County Sheriff Marine Unit. Sgt. Fox showed the sheriff marine deputy various locations, shipwrecks, and areas of activity along the Lake Huron coastline. 

District 4 counties of service: Benzie, Grand Traverse, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana, Wexford.

While on marine patrol in Benzie County, COs Rich Stowe and Joshua Wright received a complaint referencing a yellow Yamaha personal watercraft (PWC) allegedly harassing loons on a lake. The information in the complaint also described the operator of the PWC as not wearing a PFD. The COs responded to the location and the yellow PWC was quickly observed, and the operator was in fact not wearing a PFD. The COs stopped the operator. Enforcement action was taken for the PFD violation. The operator was not harassing loons but was instead following his family behind their vessel and picking up the water ski that was being dropped from the skier as they were slalom skiing. The operator was cited for operating without a PFD.

While patrolling Lake Michigan, COs Kyle Publiski and Ryan Jager checked and cited several salmon fishing boats for fishing too many lines. Several of the boats checked had three or four lines over their rod limit.

Returning to Pere Marquette Lake from patrolling Lake Michigan, COs Kyle Publiski and Ryan Jager took note of a jet boat that operated at full speed through fishing boats and through the no wake zone in the channel of Pere Marquette Lake. The operator was stopped and cited for violating the slow no wake zone.

COs Ryan Jager, Logan Turner, and Sgt. Ben Shively attended the second annual Oceana County National Night Out. The COs displayed a patrol boat, side-by-side, and patrol truck at the Shelby Township Community Park. The COs educated the public on how they use their equipment, answered several questions about ORV and marine laws, allowed the kids to sit in the equipment, and handed out goodie bags with DNR Fire Division and Smokey Bear.

CO Kyle Publiski and Sgt. Ben Shively assisted the MSP and the Oceana County Sheriff’s Department with establishing a perimeter for an armed suspect who had shot a male subject. After eight hours, the suspect was located by MSP’s Emergency Services Team. The victim was extricated from the scene and is expected to survive.

District 5 counties of service: Alcona, Arenac, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Roscommon.

COs Alex Bourgeois, Tyler Sabuda, Casey Pullum, Jesse Grzechowski, Sgt. Jon Warner, PCOs Evan White, and Nico Luna conducted a saturation patrol for Mud Jam in Hale. Their focus was ORV safety, including helmets, seatbelts, operating on M-65, and OWI violations. The COs issued approximately 20 tickets for various safety violations during just a few hours of patrol.

CO Alex Bourgeois was patrolling when he observed a side-by-side operating on M-65. He initiated a traffic stop and advised the driver of the violation. During the stop, it was discovered that the passenger had an outstanding warrant for retail fraud out of Tawas City. The passenger was placed under arrest and transported by CO Tyler Sabuda to the Iosco County Jail, where she was lodged.
CO Alex Bourgeois observed a side-by-side illegally operating on M-65 in Iosco County. A traffic stop was conducted, and the operator was contacted and advised he could not operate on a state M road. The driver claimed he was unaware of the restriction. CO Bourgeois immediately observed signs of intoxication and asked how many alcoholic beverages the driver had consumed. The driver admitted to four to five beers. CO Jesse Grzechowski and PCO Nico Luna arrived to assist. PCO Luna administered SFSTs, and the driver was arrested for OWI. He was lodged at the Iosco County Jail and registered a blood alcohol content of .19, more than double the legal limit.

CO Casey Pullum and PCO Evan White were conducting covert surveillance along the AuSable River in Oscoda County on a busy Saturday afternoon when they observed four adults standing on the bank with two minor children, smoking what appeared to be marijuana. The COs contacted the adults, who admitted smoking at least two joints. All four adults were cited.

CO Casey Pullum and PCO Evan White observed a vehicle towing a boat on M-65 with a significant number of weeds attached to the trailer. A traffic stop was conducted as the vehicle pulled into a gas station. The driver stated he had just left a local lake and had not considered the weeds. The driver was cited for transporting weeds and immediately disposed of them in the trash. 

CO Jacob Hamilton was conducting an AIS patrol at North Higgins Lake State Park when he observed a subject attempting to launch a pontoon boat with a large number of weeds and vegetation still attached. The driver admitted he had been at Bud Bash on Houghton Lake the night before. CO Hamilton instructed him to use the nearby cleaning station to remove the weeds. While completing paperwork, a group member brought a bundle of weeds, but CO Hamilton noted that the center bunk of the trailer still had vegetation. A citation was issued for transporting a boat and trailer with aquatic vegetation attached.

CO Matt Zultak was contacted by Roscommon County Central Dispatch regarding a subject who was placing trail cameras in the forest and got lost. The subject was an elderly male with prior health conditions. The subject was advised to stay put, and a location was determined. Upon receiving possible coordinates, CO Zultak realized the individual was close to a section of private property. CO Zultak and the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office went to the private property and contacted the landowner. The property owner graciously took the deputy and CO Zultak to the back of his property by ORV. The subject was located after a short search on the state land and was transported back out by the landowner. EMS was refused, and the lost subject was returned to his vehicle.

COs Troy Mueller and Kevin Bunce attended a hunter safety class at the Reed City Sportsman’s Club. Numerous youths were in attendance and the COs gave a presentation on ethics, safety, and regulations, as well as answering questions from the attendees.

COs Kevin Bunce and Josh Wright were on patrol on Lake Mitchell when bad weather began to push through the area. Before heading to the launch, the COs observed an aluminum vessel in the middle of the lake with one of the boat's occupants paddling toward shore. With lightning and strong winds building, the COs reached the vessel to find the boat's main motor had stopped working. An emergency tow was provided, successfully bringing the two subjects and their vessel to safety.

Sgt. Jon Wood and CO Kevin Bunce attended the 2025 MTPCA Trapping Convention and Sports Show in Evart. The COs were able to meet and greet trapping enthusiasts who were there picking up gear and watching training demonstrations for the upcoming year. Vendors and participants traveled from far and wide to showcase products, provided learning opportunities, and swapped stories throughout the two-day event. Numerous contacts were made, and many questions were answered by the COs.

CO Josh Russell and PCO Alex Arndt were patrolling Gladwin County when they observed a pontoon boat operating extremely close to docks and docked boats. The COs determined that the boat was operating less than 100 feet from the docks. The COs contacted the operator, and a citation was issued for the violation.

CO Josh Russell and PCO Alex Arndt were patrolling Gladwin County when they observed an ORV operating on M-61. The operator of the ORV pulled up to the COs and asked if “He was good.”  The COs asked the driver to pull off the road to discuss the unlawful operation. The COs advised the subject that it was illegal to ride on an M road. The operator stated it was a farm vehicle, and he was exempt from that law. The COs asked if he was in the act of farming, to which he replied, “No, we are headed to meet family.”  A citation was issued for the violation.

CO Kyle Bader received a complaint from a man cleaning a recently rented house who found a deer hanging in the rafters of an outbuilding, another complete carcass on the floor, and various deer parts in another outbuilding. CO Bader investigated and found the carcasses had been there for months. Two tags from 2021 were attached to mummified deer, and one tag from 2016 had a suspicious purchase date. Due to the statute of limitations, no further action was taken. The 2016 tag’s owner had previously been arrested by CO Bader in 2015 for leaving a partial deer carcass in an unplugged freezer.

District 6 counties of service: Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Montcalm, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola.

CO Mike Haas and PCO Cody Simmons were patrolling areas along the Midland and Gladwin County line when they witnessed a truck towing a boat and trailer on a public roadway. The COs noted that the boat trailer was covered with various aquatic vegetation and the trailer lacked working lights. A traffic stop was carried out and the driver was educated on the laws concerning AIS. A citation was issued for the AIS violation and issued a warning for the faulty lights.

During a marine patrol on a lake along the Isabella and Clare County line, CO Mike Haas and PCO Cody Simmons contacted a vessel with multiple anglers aboard. While checking the anglers for fishing licenses, one angler avoided the COs and appeared to be distracted on his phone. Eventually the subject acknowledged the COs and admitted to not having a fishing license. The angler was attempting to purchase a fishing license on the DNR’s mobile app while the COs contacted him but was unable due to poor cell phone service. A citation was issued for fishing without a fishing license.

District 7 counties of service: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St Joseph, Van Buren.

CO Carter Woodwyk and PCO Max Bradford received a complaint of unattended fishing lines. The complainant indicated there were previous issues where the same individual would leave tip-ups on the ice in the wintertime unattended for days at a time. The COs went to the address given and spoke with a resident who was unaware of the line in the water, stating that a friend was there recently mowing her lawn and believed the line was his. As the COs were clearing, a male subject drove into the driveway at the residence. The COs spoke with this subject who indicated the line was his that he set approximately three to four hours earlier in the day. This subject indicated he was just getting back from running a few errands. The COs requested to see a fishing license, which the subject could not provide. The COs also learned that the suspect’s license to operate a motor vehicle was suspended. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Carter Woodwyk and PCO Max Bradford were patrolling Lake Allegan in Allegan County when they observed multiple anglers on the shoreline near Calkins Dam. While the COs were checking two anglers on one side of the dam, they observed two of the three other anglers on the opposite side of the dam bringing items back to the parking lot. The COs contacted these anglers and conducted a license check. Upon further investigation, the COs discovered the anglers had brought a cooler of fish back to their vehicle. The COs counted the fish and discovered the anglers had 119 sunfish and three smallmouth bass all under the legal-size limit of 14 inches. The anglers were 44 sunfish over their legal daily limit of 75. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Travis Dragomer contacted a group of anglers upon the North Pier in St. Joseph, Berrien County. After further investigation, a bucket of live rusty crayfish was located and seized from the anglers. A citation was issued for illegally using the live invasive species as bait.

District 8 counties of service: Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Shiawassee.

CO Wes Butler received numerous complaints about a farmer who had been suspected of violating crop damage permit regulations. The farmer has been known to shoot from his vehicle, violate safety zone rules, and leave deer in the field without tagging them. CO Butler investigated all the allegations, but due to the nature of the violations, it would be very difficult to charge him without catching him in the act of violating the permit regulations. However, CO Butler investigated his harvest report history and found that the farmer had not reported any harvests. CO Butler interviewed the farmer, who explained he had shot nine deer utilizing his crop damage permits. The farmer claimed to have tagged all of them, but he did not report any of his harvests. CO Butler issued the farmer a citation for failing to report his harvests within 72 hours.

District 9 counties of service: Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair.

CO Joshua Salas was on patrol checking anglers when he checked an angler with a bucket full of panfish. CO Salas had the individual count the panfish, and the CO discovered that the individual had 38 panfish, 13 over the legal limit of 25. The CO also discovered that the angler did not possess a current fishing license. The angler received a citation for the over-limit and for possessing fish without a fishing license.

CO Joseph Deppen was working a late evening marine patrol when he encountered a vessel fishing in the southern end of Lake Huron. CO Deppen observed the anglers fishing and catching walleye. They finished after a few drifts and proceeded back to the launch. CO Deppen met up with the three anglers and asked about their fishing. The anglers said everything was caught and released and they had no fish. CO Deppen started asking the anglers about the walleye they caught and kept. CO Deppen stepped to the stern of the vessel and asked the anglers about the rear compartment, “Do you have anything you shouldn’t in here?” One angler responded, “Um yeah.” CO Deppen had the angler open the compartment and there was a large cooler full of walleye. CO Deppen asked, “How many do you have?” The angler responded, “I have no idea.” The anglers were found to be in possession of 27 walleye, which was 12 walleye over their daily limit. In addition to the over-limit, there were four short walleye in the cooler. The fish were seized, and a complaint warrant will be filed with the prosecutor’s office.

District 10 counties of service: Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, Wayne.

CO Brandon Hartleben was concluding his patrol on Halfmoon Lake when he observed a vessel towing a skier without an observer near the boat launch. CO Hartleben contacted the vessel and confirmed that there was not an observer on board. The operator was educated on the law and issued a citation for towing without an observer.

CO Nicholas Ingersoll and PCO Andrew Werth were checking vessels at Sterling State Park, when they contacted five individuals. The anglers had some success on Lake Erie fishing for perch. When checking their life jackets, it was determined that they only had three life jackets on board. The COs advised them they were missing two life jackets and issued them a citation for not providing enough life jackets for everyone on board the vessel. The COs also warned them of the improper display of registration numbers.

PCO Joel Hill and CO Andrew Monnich assisted MSP troopers on a crash scene. A vehicle was observed rolled over in a ditch on Smith Road near Ridge Highway. Contact was made with the suspected driver of the vehicle who exhibited erratic behavior. A Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) check on the subject returned with several warrants. PCO Hill assisted the trooper in arresting the subject. The subject was later transported to Hickman Hospital for evaluation after making suicidal statements.

PCO Joel Hill and CO Eric Smither followed up on a captive raccoon complaint. Upon arrival, contact was made with a male subject who advised that he was in possession of a raccoon that he had since March. The subject did not have any required permits to possess the raccoon. The subject was issued a citation for illegally possessing the live wild animal. The raccoon was removed from the property.

While working speed enforcement on Belle Isle, PCO Cody Simmons and CO Mike Haas clocked a vehicle traveling at 63 mph in the 25-mph zone. The COs conducted a traffic stop and discovered that the driver of the vehicle had a suspended driver’s license and the vehicle lacked proper registration. A citation and warnings were issued to address the violations.

CO Dan Robinson and PCO Alex Arndt were working at Belle Isle Park when they witnessed a jet ski operating recklessly near the swimming area. As the COs watched, the PWC was operating closer to the marked swim area than the 100-foot rule allowed. The operator came very close to the swimmers traveling at them at a high rate of speed and splashed them. The COs radioed to the harbor master to see if they could intercept. While keeping a close eye on the jet ski, the harbor master vessel approached and sent the operator to the beach area to meet with the COs on shore. Prior to the harbor master approaching the jet ski, the COs watched the operator come within a dangerously close distance to several other groups swimming. Once contact was made, the operator stated he was asked to splash the swimmers. The COs expressed how dangerous the activity was and the illegal nature of the actions. A citation was issued for the careless operation of a PWC and violation of the 100-foot rule.

COs Ariel Young and Dave Schaumburger conducted a marine patrol of the Detroit River with assistance from COs Brad Silorey and Mike Drexler to combat PWC complaints near Belle Isle. One person was contacted and subsequently cited for improper operation in the canal near a popular swimming area. News quickly spread that the COs were out patrolling, and no other contacts were made.

CO Dave Schaumburger stopped a vehicle traveling 53 mph in a 25-mph zone on Belle Isle. The driver said he was driving so fast because he was going to run out of gas. Upon checking his driving status, it was revealed that he was suspended eight times prior and had 52 warrants for his arrest. The driver was given a citation for driving with a suspended license, excessive speed, and the vehicle was towed off the island.

While patrolling Belle Isle, CO Dave Schaumburger observed a vehicle driving erratically in his rearview mirror. The vehicle then drove past the CO at 40 mph. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver stated he was driving fast because it was “her birthday”, while pointing to the girl in the back seat. A citation was issued to the driver for speeding. A short while later, CO Schaumburger observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed behind him. This time, the vehicle drove past at 46 mph. When the CO caught up to the vehicle, it turned out to be the same vehicle from two hours prior, but this time, the “birthday girl” was driving. She was also cited for speeding.

GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)

Corporals (Cpls.) Troy Van Gelderen and Justin Vanderlinde participated in a CORA LEC patrol in the Grand Traverse Bay area, checking nets along with tribal law enforcement.

Cpl. Justin Vanderlinde investigated a complaint of a charter boat captain running over the king anchor float of a trap net set in Glen Haven.  After inspecting the properly marked trap net, Cpl. Vanderlinde advised the charter boat operator to slow down while operating his vessel in the dark. 

Cpl. Patrick Hartsig followed up with delinquent fish wholesalers in Eastern Market.  A citation was issued to repeat offenders after several verbal warnings.

Cpl. Parick Hartsig gave a presentation at the Women Warriors of the Wild conference at the Ralph A. MacMullan (RAM) Center.  Attendees were game wardens from across the country.  The presentation included GLEU’s role in the Law Enforcement Division.

Cpl. Todd Sumbera was patrolling Cedarville public boat launch when he observed a fishing vessel pulling up to the dock. Two gentlemen got off the vessel and one pulled money out of his wallet, paying the boat operator. Further investigation revealed that the boat operator was the owner of the vessel and that he was running an illegal charter. The operator was not inspected by the State of Michigan, nor did he have a valid Captain’s License in his possession, he stated that he believed his Captain’s license had lapsed and was no longer valid. The suspect further stated that it is more of a hassle than what it is worth, and he typically runs about 4 trips a year. The suspect also stated that he received $200 - each customer paid him $100 for the trip, and no fish were caught. A citation was issued. 

Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen and CO Ryan Jager conducted a patrol out of Whitehall on Lake Michigan.  Fishing was good, and one ticket was written for fishing with too many lines.

Cpl. Tom Peterson was “first on scene” to a felonious assault of an adult male, and breaking and entering of a house in Hancock. Cpl. Peterson was met outside the residence by the suspect. Immediately upon contact, the suspect stated, “It’s me you’re looking for - arrest me.” The suspect was then taken into custody without incident and turned over to Hancock PD for further investigation. The suspect broke into his ex-girlfriend’s house and attacked the man sleeping in bed with her, causing multiple lacerations and a possible broken jaw. He then broke items in the house and awaited law enforcement’s arrival.

ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION SECTION (EIS)

Det. Dan Lee reported on an investigation that began with a referral on November 1, 2024, from Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Materials Management Division (MMD). It involved the operation of an unregistered scrap tire hauling business and an unregistered scrap tire collection site at 2844 Eastern Ave SE in Grand Rapids. The suspect had been operating a registered scrap tire hauling business until the registration was revoked on March 19, 2024. On April 30, MMD verbally warned the business that it was operating illegally after seeing approximately 1600 tires at 3340 Division Ave South. On June 14, 2024, the tire hauler moved their operations to 2844 Eastern Ave SE. During the summer months of 2024, EGLE MMD staff continued to observe evidence that the company had not stopped operating their scrap tire hauling business and obtained manifests documenting five specific occurrences. On August 26, 2024, MMD staff and Det. Lee conducted an inspection at 2844 Eastern Ave SE and observed approximately 800 tires. Charges for operating an unlicensed scrap tire collection site were issued by the Kent County Prosecuting Attorney’s office on May 30, 2024. The owner of the company pled guilty to the charge on August 28, 2025, and was fined $400.