Coneys for a Cause scheduled for June 12

The community is invited to enjoy $1.19 coney dogs while helping the youth of Isabella County at the 14^th annual Coneys for a Cause from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 at the Pixie Restaurant (302 N. Mission Street). All net proceeds will benefit the Mt. Pleasant Police Youth Services Unit (YSU) and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Customers can purchase individual coney dogs for $1.19 at the restaurant, or they can pre-order to have the coney dogs delivered by a YSU officer, or a representative of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Delivery pre-orders must total $18 or more. Pre-orders will be taken until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11 and must be emailed to ysu@mt-pleasant.org. Order forms can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org, under Quick Links.

The day will also feature the annual “Pixie Pig Out” contest at 7 p.m. Stop by to cheer on local law enforcement officers as they compete to consume the most coney dogs.

Mt. Pleasant Police Department Hosting Self Defense Tactics Class

Mt. Pleasant Mich. – The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is offering a free self-defense tactics class on Saturday, June 29 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon in the Public Safety Building’s Training Room, 804 E. High Street. This course, led by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s defensive tactics instructors, is designed specifically for women and will cover the many aspects of self-defense.

Participants must be 18 years old or older; or accompanied by an adult if under 18. To register, email Christy Dush at cdush@mt-pleasant.org or call (989) 779-5148. Deadline to register is June 21, 2019.

This class has a maximum capacity of 30 people.

Division of Public Safety Video Reveal and Department Highlights

The Mt. Pleasant Police and Fire Departments are committed to serving with pride, integrity and compassion as highlighted in this video produced by Drone the News. Click on the link below to view the video.

Division of Public Safety Video

In addition to responding to more than 25,000 service calls, and completing more than 100 hours of training a year, the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety (DPS) sponsors a variety of events and programs. Below is a snapshot of these offerings.

14^th Annual Coney’s for a Cause – June 12, 2019 from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Stop by the Pixie Restaurant (302 N. Mission Street) and enjoy $1.19 coney dogs while helping the Mt. Pleasant Youth Services Unit (YSU) and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region. Pre-orders will be taken until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11 and can be emailed to ysu@mt-pleasant.org. Order forms can be found at www.mt-pleasant.org. YSU officers will deliver pre-orders of $18 or more.

Vacation Security Checks – The Mt. Pleasant Police Department will check your house while you are away on vacation. Those individuals interested in this no fee service should fill out the Vacation/Security Check Application and submit it to the Police Department.

Prescription Drug Drop Off – The Mt. Pleasant Department of Public Safety offers a Prescription Drug Drop Box for the City of Mt. Pleasant and surrounding area. A secure mail slot is located in the Mt. Pleasant Department of Public Safety lobby located at 804 E. High Street. Individuals can walk in and anonymously deposit unused or expired prescription medications twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Neighborhood Resource Unit – This unit, housed within the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, investigates new community-oriented programs, revamps existing programs, and works closely with neighborhood associations to assure neighborhoods remain desirable.

Annual Free Smoke Alarm Campaign – To help reduce the number of home fire-related injuries and fatalities, the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, partners with the American Red Cross for their annual free smoke alarm installation drive.

Home invasion and burglary arrest made

On April 27, 2019 at approximately 10:41 a.m., officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) were dispatched to a residence in the 900 block of Appian Way for a home invasion in progress.

MPPD officers made contact with a 32-year-old victim and a 25-year-old witness. The 25-year-old witness observed several people running out of his neighbor’s apartment and getting into a red minivan. The witness stated the subjects appeared to be “in a hurry,” and he felt the situation was very strange. The witness was able to provide officers with the license plate to the red minivan.

The victim, was home but asleep at the time of the burglary, and was awaken by noises inside the apartment. When the victim exited his apartment, he was informed by the witness on what had occurred.

The victim stated he returned to his apartment and discovered the subject(s) had taken his television, Xbox gaming system, other games and controllers. Property was valued at approximately $1,400.

Officers from the MPPD proceeded to canvass the area for the red minivan which was later located at the Millennium Pawn Shop, just outside the city limits.

Three females from Flint; ages 31, 22, and 14 were taken into custody. A 46-year-old male from Flint was also arrested.

Statements from the suspects indicated one of the females met a subject on Facebook who claimed to have won $2,000 dollars at the casino. The plan was to drive to Mt. Pleasant and rob the subject.

The address given to the suspects was incorrect. However, once inside the residence the suspects decided to take several items and flee.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department.

UPDATE 2/7/2019: “The Store” Robbery

Mt. Pleasant, Mich., – On January 22, 2019 at approximately 12:36 a.m. “The Store” located at 2128 S. Mission Street in the City of Mt. Pleasant was the victim of a robbery.

The suspect, a black male, believed to be in his late 20’s, entered “The Store” and engaged in a conversation with the lone clerk.

The suspect suddenly jumped over the counter knocking the cash register to the floor and verbally threatened the clerk as he removed an undetermined amount of cash from the register. The suspect then threatened the clerk with a bottle before fleeing the store in an unknown direction.

Using various investigative tools, Mt. Pleasant Police Detectives were able to identify the suspect and on February 5, 2019 obtained an arrest warrant for Leonardo Bernard Parker III.

Parker was believed to be traveling between Mt. Pleasant and Saginaw on a regular basis.

Mt. Pleasant Detectives worked closely with surrounding law enforcement agencies surveilling several locations in both Mt. Pleasant and Saginaw.

Parker was located in Saginaw and arrested on the robbery warrant. Parker was transported from Saginaw to the Isabella County Jail where he is currently lodged.

Parker is scheduled for arraignment later this afternoon (02/07/19).

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Isabella County Sheriff Department, Michigan State Police, Michigan State Police Tech. Services, Saginaw Township Police, and the Bay Area Narcotic Enforcement Team.

Video from the robbery can be viewed at www.facebook.com/mtppublicsafety/

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Wayside Bar Assault – Request for public assistance in identifying person of interest

Mt. Pleasant, MI – The Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a person of interest in an assault case.

On February 2, 2019 the MPPD received information of an assault which occurred at 2000 S. Mission Street. (The Wayside Bar).

The victim in this complaint reported being assaulted inside The Wayside Bar between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on February 2, 2019.

After viewing surveillance video from inside the bar, Mt. Pleasant Police Officers determined the person of interest is a white male, medium build with short dark hair, between the ages of 18 and 24.

There is no safety risk to the public and no further details of the assault will be released at this time.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is requesting anyone who can help identify the subject in the attached photographs to please call the Anonymous TIP Line at (989) 779-9111.

Robbery at “The Store” in the City of Mt. Pleasant, MI

On January 22, 2019 at approximately 12:36 a.m. “The Store” located at 2128 S. Mission Street in the city of Mt. Pleasant was the victim of a robbery.

A black male, believed to be in his late 20’s, entered The Store and engaged in a conversation with the lone clerk.

The suspect suddenly jumped over the counter knocking the cash register to the floor. The suspect verbally threatened the clerk as he removed an undetermined amount of cash from the register.

The suspect then threatened the clerk with a bottle before fleeing the store in an unknown direction.

This incident was reported to the Mt. Pleasant Police at approximately 1:00 p.m. on January 22, 2019.

The suspect is described as a black male in his late 20’s, over 6’ tall, with a thin beard. The suspect was last seen wearing a black hat with the #1 or #7 on the front, a black and gray hooded sweatshirt, dark gray “Nike” sweat pants, and gray and red basketball shoes.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is asking anyone with information about this incident, or the identity of the subject, to call the Anonymous Tip Line at 989-779-9111.

Surveillance video from the robbery can be viewed at facebook.com/mtppublicsafety

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Vaping on the rise among teens

MT. PLEASANT, MI – Over the past several months the Mt. Pleasant Police Department has been closely monitoring the use and accessibility of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), e-juice (vaping liquids) and other nicotine products among middle and high school students. After conducting compliance checks at several tobacco retailers within the City of Mt. Pleasant, three local businesses were cited for Selling Tobacco Products to a Minor (anyone under the age of 18.)

What are e-cigarettes/vape pens?

E-cigarettes or vape pens, have become very popular among middle and high school aged students. They are sold in many different shapes and sizes and resemble a thumb drive, cell phone battery charger or make-up containers, which makes it difficult for parents to identify.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes e-cigarettes as: A product which allows a user to inhale aerosol containing nicotine and other substances, and at times, marihuana. E-cigarettes are composed of a rechargeable, battery-operated heat element, a cartridge that contains nicotine, and other flavored chemicals (e-juice/vape juice), and an atomizer. When heated, the device converts the contents of the cartridge into an aerosol which is often flavored. The fruity and candy-flavored vape juice is most popular among adolescents.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been a 78 percent increase in vaping by high school students, with 3.6 million high school and middle school students now using e-cigarettes.

Vaping misconceptions and health warnings

There are misconceptions that vaping is not dangerous or addictive. The Surgeon General has reported that the use of vape pens, which are nicotine products, do pose a danger.

In youth, vaping can disrupt the growth of brain circuits that control attention, learning and susceptibility to addiction. The nicotine in e-cigarettes and other tobacco products can prime young brains for addiction to other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

Nicotine exposure during pregnancy can affect fetal and postnatal development as well as contribute to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Nicotine poisoning and symptoms

Ingestion of e-cigarette liquids containing nicotine can cause acute toxicity and possible death if the contents of the refill cartridges or bottles are consumed.

One conventional cigarette contains approximately 1 mg of nicotine. Those smoking conventional cigarettes only absorb about 1/10^th of the 1 mg of nicotine. Some manufacturers are producing e-juice/vaping juice with 30-40 + mg of nicotine in a cartridge, which is considered lethal to adults. Nicotine poisoning tends to be more critical in children and adults who are first time users.

Symptoms of nicotine poisoning include nausea, vomiting, increased blood pressure, abnormal heart rate, dehydration, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, dizziness, headache, gas, anxiety, and hearing and vision changes. Nausea and vomiting are the most notable symptoms in youth.

For a summary of common vaping myths and FAQ’s visit: https://www.fda.gov/downloads/TobaccoProducts/AboutCTP/UCM624891.pdf

Electronic Cigarettes, E-Cigs, Vape Pens

E-Juice, Vape Juice

Vape Juice

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Join the Mt. Pleasant Police to support Toys for Tots

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – The City of Mt. Pleasant Police Department invites the public to help ‘cram a cruiser’ from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, December 17 at Mt Pleasant’s Department of Public Safety.

Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped, unopened toy to support the local Toys for Tots Drive. The evening includes the chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, meet the officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police and Fire Departments, sit behind the wheel of a fire truck, and enjoy hot cocoa and candy canes.

Parking and entrance will be at the rear (south side) of the Public Safety Building, 804 E. High Street.

UPDATE: Suspect Identified in Credit Card Fraud Case

UPDATE: The suspect in this case has been identified. The Mt. Pleasant Police would like to thank the public and local media for their assistance. This is an ongoing investigation, so the name of the suspect is not being released at this time.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a credit card fraud suspect.

A credit card was lost on 09/23/18 and the card owner was alerted to fraudulent charges being made. The owner of the card contacted Mt. Pleasant City Police and a criminal complaint was filed.

Purchases totaling $1500 were made with the credit card at the BP Shell Gas Station, Marathon Gas Station, Menards, and Walmart in and around the City of Mt. Pleasant.

The Mt. Pleasant Police have obtained photographic and video evidence of an unknown male making these purchases. The suspect is a white male between 25 and 35 years old, approximately 6’ tall, light facial hair, glasses, several tattoos on both the right and left forearms, and a tattoo on the left side of the neck.

If you have any information in regards to the identification of this subject, please contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Tip Line at 989-779-9111.