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.

Traffic stop leads to drug arrest

On July 10, 2017, an officer stopped a vehicle for failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. The driver was identified as Christopher Perez, a 32-year-old Grand Rapids man, whose license was currently suspended. The officer re-approached the vehicle and found Perez chewing a green leafy substance later identified as marijuana. Perez was taken into custody for Driving with a Suspended License and Tampering with Evidence.

While at the Isabella County Jail, the officer searched Perez and recovered 12 individually wrapped bindles of heroin stuffed in Perez’s pants. The total weight of the bindles was 11 grams.

Perez was lodged at the Isabella County Jail. Perez was arraigned on charges of Controlled Substance-Delivery/Manufacture Less than 50 grams-second offense notice; Controlled Substance-Possession-second offense notice; Tampering with Evidence; and Operating-License Suspended, Revoked, Denied-second office notice. Bond was set at $800,000/ten percent.

Perez remains lodged at the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department.

Sytsema named Mt. Pleasant police lieutenant

dsytsem The City recently announced the promotion of Detective Don Sytsema to police lieutenant. Sytsema has dedicated 22 years to the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, serving first as an officer and later as detective.

As lieutenant, Sytsema will oversee day-to-day operations of the road patrol and detective bureau, and will be responsible for duties related to crime analysis and prevention. He will also coordinate special operations with other area law enforcement agencies, among many other tasks.

“We are very confident and pleased with Don’s decision to be a part of the police administration team,” said Police Captain Andy Latham. “Don is a creative and analytical thinker who uses his head and his heart to make decisions. This lends to an inclusive leadership style that is well received and embraced by those around him.”

Sytsema is looking forward to the new challenge. “My vision is that our department will continue to use and explore new technology to support the solving of crime,” he said. Sytsema also envisions continued police engagement with our community and businesses, as he is committed to cultivating positive relationships.

Sytsema will fill the role of lieutenant beginning April 16.

Latham named captain of Mt. Pleasant Police Department

Andy Latham has been named captain of the Mt. Pleasant Police Department. Latham began his career with the City as an officer more than 20 years ago, and has since served as sergeant and lieutenant.

In his new role, Latham is looking forward to the opportunity to connect with community members. “I hope to continue our tradition of excellent police work while making our department more personable and approachable,” said Latham. He hopes this will lead to more interaction between officers and the community on a social level.

As captain, Latham says he also plans to learn new phases of police administration while working with and supporting staff in any way he can.

Latham replaces the department’s former captain, Paul Lauria, who took the helm as the City’s director of public safety/police chief in February.