REAL ESTATE SCAM ALERT

Mt. Pleasant, Mich., August 3, 2018 – On 08/02/2018, an officer at the Mt. Pleasant Police Department began investigating a fraud complaint involving Craigslist.

Adam Pringle from Benin Republic, is advertising properties on Craigslist which are legitimately for sale in the Mt. Pleasant area. Pringle’s advertisements contain property information and location and encourages individuals to visit the properties. Additionally, Pringle directs individuals to pay him the first and last month’s rent by electronic payment.

Coldwell Banker brought this incident to the attention of the Mt. Pleasant Police Department and wished to inform the public of the scam. At this time both Coldwell Banker and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department are unaware of anyone being scammed out of any money at this time.

Second breaking and entering suspect arrested

Additional investigation by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) led to a second breaking and entering suspect being identified and arrested.

On July 23, 2018 MPPD received a call of breaking and entering at Movement Vehicles on 210 W. Pickard Street, Mt. Pleasant. This was in addition to two separate breaking and entering incidents which MPPD responded to on July 20, 2018 at Freddie’s Tavern and a July 24, 2018 at The Cabin, both in the City of Mount Pleasant.

Evidence collected from all crime scenes was gathered by the MPPD and shared with the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police. Further investigation by the MPPD determined Kyle Wilson, identified as a suspect for the July 20 and July 24 breaking and entering incidents was not the suspect responsible for the July 23 incident.

On August 1, 2018 a search warrant was obtained for a residence in the Rosebush area. The search warrant was executed by MPPD detectives and members of the Bay Area Narcotics Team. Property stolen from the July 23 incident which included a welder and other high value tools were recovered. As a result of this search warrant, 25-year-old Michael Spanne was arrested and is currently lodged at the Isabella County Jail on a four count warrant: Breaking and Entering – a building with Intent, Larceny – $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing- $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, and Larceny in a Building.

Officer David VanDyke of the Mount Pleasant Police Department explained, “Through additional investigative work, the MPPD was able to identify the incident at the Movement Vehicles business was not related to the other breaking and entering’s.” He continued, “MPPD was able to pinpoint a new suspect, recover property stolen from Movement Vehicles, and take the suspect into custody.”

Mount Pleasant Police were assisted by the Bay Area Narcotics Team, Central Michigan Drug Enforcement Team, and the Michigan State Police K-9 Unit.

Police arrest suspect in theft of tip jar

On July 8, 2018, officers of the Mount Pleasant Police Department were dispatched to 110 N. Main St. (Pisanello’s Pizza) for a larceny of a “tip jar.”

The surveillance video of the incident was released to the public and media outlets to help identify the two adult males and one adult female involved.

Due to several tips from the public, all three subjects have been identified. The subjects include a 30-year-old male from Farwell, Mich.; a 24-year-old male from Weidman, Mich.; and a 26-year-old female from Ithaca, Mich.

On July 17, 2018 at approximately 2:30 a.m. officers made contact with the 30-year-old male from Farwell and placed him in custody for larceny charges related to the theft. The other two subjects have not been charged.

The 30-year-old male is currently lodged in the Isabella County Jail awaiting arraignment.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department would like to thank the public and media outlets for assisting in the apprehension of this subject.

Mt. Pleasant police seek help to identify larceny suspects

On July 8, 2018, officers of the Mount Pleasant Police Department were dispatched to 110 N. Main St. (Pisanello’s Pizza) for a larceny of a “tip jar.”

The larceny occurred when two unidentified males, one unidentified female and a young child entered the restaurant at 9:35 p.m. on July 8, 2018.

One of the males went into the bathroom while the other male, female and child ordered a pizza under the name “Desirae.”

When the first male exited the bathroom, he interacted with the other male, female and child. The video shows him take the “tip jar” from the cash register counter and flee the restaurant in an unknown direction.

The amount of money taken is unknown at this time.

A witness observed the first male as he was running from the restaurant and concealing a jar under his shirt. This witness asked Pisanello’s Pizza employees if they were missing anything from the restaurant. This is when the “tip jar” was discovered missing.

The male subject is described as approximately 30 years old, short brown hair, thin mustache, wearing black-colored shorts with a red stripe and a blue button up short sleeve shirt with thin white lines.

This incident was captured on video surveillance and is available at www.facebook.com/mtppublicsafety.

Anyone with information regarding the identification of the subjects involved is asked to contact Officer Jeff Thompson of the Mount Pleasant Police Department at (989) 779-6026 or (989) 779-5100.

Mt. Pleasant police warn of money scam

On July 12, 2018, the Mount Pleasant Police Department was contacted by a citizen about a Mount Pleasant police detective’s name being used in a scam for money.

The scam uses a current Mount Pleasant detective’s name and credentials. This person has called potential victims and requested money after threatening to arrest or pursue criminal charges. The scam has been used throughout the state of Michigan.

The person impersonating a Mount Pleasant detective will avoid meeting in person and will request payment through “Green Dot” or some other form of untraceable fund transaction.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department will never ask for any payments by phone.

This incident is currently being investigated by the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

If anyone receives a phone call from someone claiming to be a Mount Pleasant police detective or officer, please contact Isabella County Central Dispatch at 989-773-1000 or 989-779-5100 during regular business hours to confirm the call is legitimate.

City police provide update regarding the suspicious situation in Island Park on Tuesday, June 26

On June 27, 2018, officers of the Mount Pleasant Police Department received information from a mother in Midland, Mich. claiming her son and his friends were responsible for the situation in Island Park on Tuesday evening that led to both parks being evacuated and searched by several area police departments.

The mother indicated her 16-year-old son was part of a club that was filming a role-playing scenario in Island Park just prior to Central Dispatch receiving a report that two male subjects were seen in the park covered in blood and carrying what appeared to be a long gun. She stated she got a call from her son indicating he was coming home from Mount Pleasant and not to be shocked when he got there because he was covered in “fake blood.”

She further explained the group had at least one “prop gun” they were using in the video, and said her son was wearing camouflage clothing.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department assures the community that there is no threat to the public following this incident. The situation has been investigated and determined to be a miscommunication from a “role-playing club” to the proper authorities.

Citizens are reminded to inform public safety officials of actions that may cause the general public concern.

35-year-old man on motorized bike injured in collision with car on Mission Street

On June 26, 2018 at approximately 7:30 p.m., Isabella County Central Dispatch received a call of a motorized bicycle hitting a car in the 2300 block of S. Mission Street in the City of Mt. Pleasant.

Mt. Pleasant Police responded to the scene and observed a 35-year-old male unconscious with facial injuries.

Mt. Pleasant Police Officers determined the bicyclist was traveling south on the sidewalk, alongside S. Mission Street. The car, driven by a 25-year-old male, was waiting to turn on S. Mission from the Stadium Mall parking lot.

The 35-year-old bicyclist rode directly into the side of the 25-year-old’s car causing the bicyclist to fall and strike his head on the pavement.

Due to the accident, the motorized bicycle caught fire causing damage to the bicycle and car.

Mobile Medical Response and the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department were dispatched to the scene.

The bicyclist was flown to a Grand Rapids area hospital for treatment.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by Isabella County Central Dispatch, Mobile Medical Response and the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department.

Coneys for a Cause is June 13

The community is invited to feast on their favorite local coney dogs while helping the youth of Isabella County at the 13^th annual Coneys for a Cause on June 13 at the Pixie Restaurant. 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 an officer of the YSU or a representative of Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

At 7 p.m., the annual “Pixie Pig Out” contest will begin. Stop by to cheer on the contestants as they compete to consume the most coneys.

The pre-order form is available here, as well as at www.facebook.com/mtppublicsafety and www.mt-pleasant.org. Forms must emailed by 3 p.m. on June 12 to ysu@mt-pleasant.org. Delivery pre-orders must total $18 or more.

Chippewa Street is currently closed to through traffic for construction work, however, both of Pixie’s Chippewa Street driveways will be open for use during the event.

Police investigate stabbing incident

On May 30, at approximately 4:16 a.m., officers were dispatched to Mill Pond Park located off Adams Street for a report of a stabbing.

Several people were in Mill Pond Park. An argument between two females started, which quickly turned into a fight. Because of this altercation, Baylee Evans, a 19-year-old Mt. Pleasant man, became engaged in a separate fight with a 17-year-old Rosebush man. The Rosebush man stood up and stated he was stabbed and was bleeding from his abdomen. Evans left the scene with one of the females.

Through the investigation, officers identified Evans as the suspect in the case and located him at a residence in Union Township. Evans was taken into custody without incident.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of multiple wounds. The victim was later transferred to another hospital for his injuries. The victim is currently in stable condition, still receiving treatment.

Evans was lodged at the Isabella County Jail. Evans remains in jail and was arraigned on charges of Assault with Great Bodily Harm Less than Murder; Carrying Concealed Weapon; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon; and Simple Assault. Bond was set at $30,000/ten percent.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police and Mobile Medical Response.

SONY DSC — The knife used in the incident.

Thirty-five pounds of pills collected at Prescription Drug Drop Off

A total of 35 pounds of pills were collected during a Prescription Drug Drop Off event held this month at the Isabella County Commission on Aging in partnership with Ten16 Recovery Network and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department.

Prescription Drug Drop Off events are held in the community several times throughout the year and allow residents to drop off unwanted or outdated prescription medication to ensure it is disposed of in a safe manner. It also keeps the drugs out of the hands of people who would misuse them, as well as prevents them from entering landfills and groundwater.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department thanks the partners for this event and the public for helping keep the community safe and healthy.

Community members may also safely discard prescription medication at the
Mt. Pleasant Police Department at any time.

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