Mt. Pleasant Police Department Hosts Annual Cram-A-Cruiser Toy Drive to Support Toys for Tots

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is once again partnering with Krapohl Ford Lincoln to support Toys for Tots through the annual Cram-A-Cruiser toy drive.

Residents and businesses are invited to help make the holidays brighter for children in the Mt. Pleasant area by donating new, unwrapped toys during one of the following collection events:

Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Krapohl Ford Lincoln, 1415 E. Pickard St.

Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in front of the Mt. Pleasant Department of Public Safety Building, 804 E. High St.

During each event, Mt. Pleasant police officers will be on-site with patrol vehicles ready to be “crammed” full of donations. All collected toys will benefit the local Toys for Tots program, helping families in need this holiday season.

Those unable to attend can drop off new, unwrapped toys at Krapohl Ford Lincoln or the Mt. Pleasant Department of Public Safety lobby during regular business hours through December 15.

Life is saved on North Henry St. Fire

On October 25, 2025 at 12:23 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department responded to a structure fire located at 721 N. Henry St. The fire was reported at the back of the structure.

At 12:28 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Police Department advised that one person remained in the residence. Fire crews arrived at 12:28:31, just as two City Police Officers extricated the victim out of the front of the home. The victim was treated on scene by Police and Fire personnel, then transported to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.

The fire was located at the rear of the home and determined to be a cooking fire that got out of control and spread to a kitchen fire. The fire was brought under control at 12:39 p.m. The home sustained significant damage from fire, smoke, heat, and water. The occupants were home at the time of the fire and were displaced but are staying with family members in the area.

The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department was assisted by the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Fire Department, Deerfield Fire Department, Mobile Medical Response, Consumers Energy, DTE, and Isabella County Central Dispatch.

No firefighters or Police Officers reported any injuries.

The fire remains under investigation.

Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Check smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year. Operating smoke detectors may save your life.

Garage Fire in the 1000 Block of South Crapo Street

On October 18, 2023 at 2:58 p.m., the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department (MPFD) was dispatched to a structure fire in the 1000 block of South Crapo Street.

Upon arrival to the scene, fire crews observed smoke coming from a residential duplex and brought the fire under control by 3:31 p.m. The duplex sustained light fire damage in the garage and eaves. Occupants were home at the time of the incident, but exited safely with no injuries sustained.

The cause of the fire was due to cigarette smoking in the area.

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

MPPD seeking assistance in identifying suspect in Strong Arm Robbery

Mt. Pleasant, Mich., – The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a male suspect who was at Wild Side Smoke Shop, 1218 South Mission Street at approximately 6:38 p.m. on October 31, 2019. The store employee reported he recognized the male from previous incidents of stealing from the store. The male was back in the store attempting to steal again. The store employee approached the male about putting items in his pockets. The male in attempt to flee began to fight with the store employee.

There was an unidentified female in the parking lot that was waiting for this male. The female did take part in the assault against the store employee.

The suspect is described as a white male in his late 20’s or early 30’s, approximately 6’ tall, with a thin build. The suspect was wearing blue jeans with them tucked into his cowboy boots and a bright blue NIKE hooded sweatshirt. The male was wearing glasses during this incident.

There are no safety concerns for the City of Mt. Pleasant.

If you have any information in regards to the identification of this subject, please contact The Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s anonymous tip line at 989-779-9111.

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.

Two arrested after police chase

At approximately 12:59 a.m. on Feb. 28, 2018, an officer on general patrol at the intersection of Broomfield and Mission Street observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation.

The suspect vehicle accelerated quickly eastbound on Broomfield. The officer attempted to catch up with the vehicle and activated the emergency lights. The vehicle approached the intersection of Broomfield and Isabella and disregarded the flashing red light. The vehicle again accelerated quickly reaching speeds of over 100 mph while traveling down Isabella road. The vehicle abruptly stopped at the intersection of Isabella and High. The driver, Gonzalo Alaniz, a 23-year-old Mt. Pleasant man, was taken into custody without incident.

The front seat passenger, a 19-year-old Mt. Pleasant man, was arrested for open container and cited for minor in possession of alcohol.

Alaniz is lodged at the Isabella County Jail on charges of fleeing and eluding; driving while license suspended; reckless driving.

MT. PLEASANT POLICE PRESS RELEASE: Domestic assault turns into stand off

On Feb. 2, 2018, at approximately 7:17 p.m., City officers responded to a domestic assault complaint in the 1820 block of South Crawford Road, also known as Country Place Apartments. Woodrow Lewis, a 38-year-old Mt. Pleasant man and his wife were arguing because Lewis believed his wife was bugging the apartment. Lewis became upset and pushed his wife up against the wall. Lewis then knocked her over a couch causing her to fall. The female left the apartment, called the police and filed a domestic assault report.

Police took a statement from Lewis’ wife and then attempted contact with Lewis. Lewis initially would not answer the door, but then came to the door with a knife 8 to 10 inches in length. The officers backed off the residence and contacted the Isabella County Emergency Services Team, a team of police officers from several jurisdictions who serve as tactical officers and crisis negotiators.

An officer obtained a domestic assault warrant for Lewis while officers continued to ask Lewis to exit the residence. Lewis attempted to start his apartment on fire by burning the drapes. Officers then evacuated residents from the apartment building complex.

The decision was made to introduce pepper spray to Lewis’ apartment to get him out of his apartment. Lewis surrendered without further incident.

Lewis was lodged at the Isabella County Jail on charges of domestic assault. Lewis remains in custody at the Isabella County Jail on the domestic assault charge and $10,000/ten percent bond.

Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, Michigan State Police, Central Michigan University Police, Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, and Mobile Medical Response.

Mt. Pleasant Police News Release: Shots fired at local bar

Corey Horne II

Dequarius Payne

On Jan. 27, 2018, at approximately 2:16 a.m., City officers responded to shots fired at 2000 S. Mission Street, the location of the Wayside Bar. Staff at the Wayside said they observed a red vehicle in the parking lot driving at a high rate of speed, almost striking other vehicles and pedestrians. They stated they saw the driver stick a handgun out of the window and fire several shots into the air. The vehicle then exited the Wayside lot and pulled into McDonald’s on South Mission.

An officer responding to the call observed a red car pulling out of the McDonald’s lot. The officer initiated a felony-type traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver was identified as Corey Horne, a 20-year-old Lansing man. Horne’s eyes were red, glossy and bloodshot, and his breath emitted an odor of intoxicants. He admitted to consuming alcohol and was unable to perform simple tasks. Horne submitted to a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) with the result of .07 percent blood alcohol content (BAC). Horne also had a restricted license.

A search of the vehicle found a .40 caliber handgun located in the glovebox. When the firearm was located, the magazine was out of the weapon, but there was a round in the chamber of the weapon. Officers also located five additional .40 caliber rounds in the passenger side door. The firearm was registered to Dequarius Payne, a 21-year-old Lansing man, who was sitting in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Payne did not have a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) permit.

Officers reviewed video taken of the incident, which showed Horne driving the red vehicle and firing shots out of the vehicle. Officers were able to recover several spent casing from a .40 caliber weapon.

Horne was arrested and charged with Weapons-Firearms-discharge from vehicle (10-year felony); Weapon-carrying concealed (five-year felony); Motor Vehicle-operating without security (one-year misdemeanor); Operating While Intoxicated (93-day misdemeanor); Weapons-Pistol-carrying concealed while under the influence (93-day misdemeanor); Driving-reckless (90-day misdemeanor); Weapons-Firearms-reckless use (90-day Misdemeanor); and Weapons-Firearms-brandishing in public (90-day misdemeanor).

Payne was arrested and charged with Weapons-carrying concealed (five-year felony).

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by Central Michigan University Police.

Mt. Pleasant Police Department statistics from start of the fall semester at Central Michigan University

This weekend, thousands of student residents arrived to the area for the start of the fall semester at Central Michigan University. The Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to several calls for service and generated a number of citations from 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27. Please see the weekend’s statistics below:

Arrested or Received Citation:

8 Disorderly Conduct
1 Disturbing the Peace
1 Driving While License Suspended
40 Minor in Possession of Alcohol
3 Nuisance Party-Attending
9 Nuisance Party-Hosting
64 Open Intoxicants
6 OWI
3 Possession of Drugs
11 Traffic Citations
3 Warrant Arrest

Calls for Service:

There were 97 calls for service from 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 to 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25.
There were 199 calls for service from 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25 to 7 a.m. on Saturday,
Aug. 26.
There were 145 calls for service from 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. To 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27.

In 2014, the City of Mt. Pleasant developed a multi-year plan to address the history of violations and increasing tension among residents in the neighborhood north of Central Michigan University’s campus where owner-occupied properties and student rentals are intermingled. To decrease disruptive behavior and improve relationships between the full- and part-year residents, City officials have worked to improve partnerships with local landlords, CMU and its students, as well as enforce ordinances on a more consistent basis.

“We are proud to be home to Central Michigan University. The students are a great asset to our community and the energy and diversity they bring strengthens the City as a whole,” said Mt. Pleasant City Manager Nancy Ridley. “The students are also City residents, and all residents are expected to uphold our community standards, which include respecting your neighbors and taking care of each other to ensure Mt. Pleasant continues to be a safe and desirable place to live and visit.”

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Fire Department were assisted by the Central Michigan University Police Department, Central Michigan University Dispatch, Michigan State Police – Mt. Pleasant, and Lakeview Post, Isabella County Central Dispatch, Department of Corrections, Mobile Medical Response, Alma Police Department, Gratiot County Sheriff’s Department, Clare Police Department, Midland Police Department, and Midland County Sheriff’s Department.