Suspicious Situation Results in Minor in Possession Charge

On Wednesday, 8-27-13, at approximately 2333hrs, the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office responded to a possible theft complaint at the Indigo Bluffs Resort, 6760 West Empire Highway in Empire Township.  Upon arrival deputies spoke to a reporting party at a camp site who indicated camper next to them had attempted to steal some of their belongings.

Deputies investigated the incident and found one of the next door campers was a 19yr old male from Central Lake Michigan that had been consuming alcohol.  The other camper there was a 36yr old from Green Bay Wisconsin.

The 19yr old was cited into 86th District Court for being a minor in possession of alcohol.  He was released pending his appearance in Court.

Seat Belt Violation Ends in Arrest

On 8-24-13, at approximately 1325hrs, a Leelanau County Sheriff's deputy was on patrol in the area of Shady Lane and M22 when he observed a blue SUV turn off from M22 onto Shady Lane being driven by a male subject who did not have his seat belt on.  The deputy could see the male driver trying to put on the seat belt after seeing the Sheriff's vehicle.  A traffic stop was made and the deputy made contact with the driver.

During the traffic stop the deputy could sense the driver was very nervous.  The driver indicated he had a bad week and did not want any problems with law enforcement.  The deputy checked the driver through the law enforcement information network and found the driver was wanted out of Benzie County on an outstanding warrant.  This warrant was for operating a motor vehicle with out insurance and failing to report a traffic accident.  The driver was placed under arrest for this outstanding warrant.  After the arrest the deputy checked the interior of the SUV and found an open can of beer.  The driver then admitted to drinking while driving down the roadway.

The driver, a 44yr old man from Lake Ann was transported to the Leelanau County Jail and lodged for the outstanding warrant and for transporting an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

                               Missing father and children found safe

A 12 hour search ending happily for an Orchard Lake family Monday.  Searchers found Daniel G. Elliott and his 3 children at 7:40 pm in the area that law enforcement had been searching throughout the day in Glen Arbor Township.  The family was checked by Glen Arbor Fire Department paramedics on scene and all were found to be in good health.

Daniel G Elliott

Elliott, 50, was taken into custody on an Emmet County misdemeanor warrant and was transported to Petoskey later Monday evening.  Elliott does not face any local charges but the incident will be reviewed by the Leelanau County Prosecutor's Office.

The Elliott children, 14, 10 and 9 were tired, hungry and thirsty but were not injured.  They told investigators that they last ate on Sunday morning in Emmet County and arrived in Leelanau County Sunday night.  The stayed in the woods Sunday night and hadn't had food or water since they ate breakfast in Petoskey Sunday.

Elliott's wife told Emmet County authorities that she was forced out of the family vehicle by her husband Sunday morning and he drove off with their children.  The woman filed a missing person report there a short time later.  She said she was concerned for the welfare of her children because of her husband's mental state but did not believe he would harm them.  The family was in the area visiting friends and family.

National Lakeshore rangers located the Elliott's 2013 BMW abandoned near the Maritime Museum in Glen Haven at 7:20 am Monday.  The vehicle had been entered into a national law enforcement database by Emmet County as being associated with Daniel Elliott and the missing children.  Rangers were unable to locate the family in the immediate area and requested assistance from the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office. 

Later in the morning, K-9 tracking dogs from the Michigan State Police and Grand Traverse County Sheriff's office assisted in attempting to find the Elliotts.  The dogs were unsuccessful in locating a significant track.  The United States Coast Guard air station assisted with air search support throughout the day.  Due to the heavy flora and thick cedar swamp, the family was not located but it kept them contained in the area by remaining overhead.  The children said their father told them they were "camping".  They knew the helicopter was looking for them and they stayed hidden to avoid detection from the air. 

Search organizers received a tip from a local man who was running on the Heritage Trail in the search area at 10:30 am.  He said he saw a man and three children that were believed to be the Elliott family.  Law enforcement and K-9 dogs were taken to the area of the sighting by the witness but the 4 were not located due to the thick cover and rugged dune terrain.  It was later confirmed that the family had moved to a different location before law enforcement arrived to check that area.

The search continued throughout the day with organizers believing that the family remained secreted in an area of approximately several square miles, north of Dune Valley Road and west of M-209.  It was bordered by Lake Michigan on the north and west.   Early in the search Park Service officials closed the Dune Climb, the western portion of the Heritage Trail and Sleeping Bear Drive to avoid cluttering the search area with thousands of people.
Temperatures neared 90 degrees throughout the day.

A ground search was organized and launched around 7:00pm.  Searchers included approximately 35 volunteer fire fighters from county departments, National Lakeshore Search and Rescue team, Park Rangers, Sheriff's Deputies and State Police Troopers.  The FBI was also on scene in a supporting role.  Approximately 40 minutes after the ground search began, a deputy spotted the family walking towards him.

The children were taken from the scene by ambulance and Daniel Elliott was taken into custody.  He never possessed any weapons nor was there ever any danger to others in the area.  It is believed that he thought he needed to keep the children away from his wife and that is why they were hiding in the woods on the dunes.  The children were turned over to their mother who had arrived earlier in the afternoon.

Head on crash injures three

Most people would agree that smoking is unhealthy but who would know that it can cause car crashes as well.  James R. Ball of South Bend, IN was southbound on S. West Bay Shore Drive near Shady Lane at 7:47 pm Sunday.  He had just gotten back from several days on Manitou Island and was in need of cigarettes.  Ball, 30, said he noticed a gas station and looked to the left to see if the store was open.  As he did, his car drifted into the northbound lane and stuck a vehicle operated by Andrea C. Diaz of Traverse City.  Diaz, 31, was not injured.

Ball was transported to Munson Medical Center by Suttons Bay EMS.  He was restrained but was ticketed for driving left of center.  Diaz was belted in but only one of her 4 passengers were.  She was cited for a seat belt violation involving unrestrained minor children.

Esther R. Diaz, 55, of Oklahoma, and Jacob R. Harter, 12, were also taken to Munson for treatment.  Two other passengers were not injured.

Minor cited for MIP in presence of parent

The Leelanau County Sheriff's deputy assigned to Empire Village for the summer season was on foot patrol on the Empire beach early Sunday morning.  He found an illegal bonfire with three adults and three minors there.  As he approached, he observed what turned out to be a 15 year-old boy take a drink from a whiskey bottle.

The deputy determined that the youth was not 21 and that his father was one of the adults around the fire.  The man would not let his son submit to a preliminary breath test.  The Wyandotte boy was cited for being a minor in possession and/or consuming intoxicants.  The report will be reviewed by the Leelanau County Prosecutor for possible furnishing alcohol to minor charges against his father.

Lake Ann man arrested on misdemeanor warrant

A 44 year-old man was stopped for driving without a seat belt on Shady Lane and S. West Bay Shore Drive Saturday at 1:25 pm.  Leelanau deputies determined that there was a District Court warrant from Benzie County for Charles D. Kesner.  He was arrested on the warrant and also cited for possessing open intoxicants in the motor vehicle.  He posted bond on both cases later in the day pending court appearances in both counties.

Woman sentenced on check case

A 39 year-old Elmwood Township woman was sentenced to a year of probation on a 2012 stolen check case.  Amber D. Oien was one of three women charged involving the theft of a checkbook from a Suttons Bay Township home.  Oien and two others forged and passed two checks totalling $800 in Traverse City.  She pleaded guilty to passing a Non-sufficient funds Check over $100 and less than $500, a 1 year misdemeanor.  Oien was originally charged with Uttering and Publishing, a 14 year felony.

She was given credit for time already served in jail and was ordered to pay $800 restitution and $1,025 fines and costs. 

Recent bookings at the Leelanau County jail

Paul T. Petoskey, 33, of Lake Leelanau served 4 days on a Department of Corrections detainer for violating terms of his parole.  Petoskey is on parole after being convicted of drug delivery charges.

Joshua J. Humphrey, 38, of Elmwood Township was arrested on a Circuit Court bench warrant for unpaid child support.  He will serve 30 days if $700 bond is not posted on the $1,457 arrearages.

James Ol Voeks, 76, of Cedar, was found guilty by jury of Operating While Intoxicated Friday.  He was remanded to jail until sentencing on September 3rd for bond violations.

Christopher F. Machir, 53, of Northport was arrested on a Circuit Court bench warrant for violating probation.  He is accused of having contact with prior victims of an Aggravated Stalking case he was convicted of.  He remains jailed pending a Circuit Court appearance.

Juan C. Bermudez, 34, of Suttons Bay was jailed on a bond violation.  He failed to appear for court ordered daily preliminary breath tests on three occasions.  He was released pending sentencing on September 10 for Operating While Intoxicated with a High Blood Alcohol >.17.

NPS cites California man for possession of marihuana

A National Park Service ranger, assisted by a Leelanau County deputy, cited a 33 year-old California man for drug possession Thursday.  The incident occurred on Sunset Shores Drive in Glen Arbor Township at 7:41 am.  The suspect possessed marhihuana illegally and was cited.  The case will be presented to the Leelanau County prosecutor for review.

Suspicious incident report in Lake Leelanau

Thursday, a citizen reported that she believed someone popped the top corner of her car window in an attempt to break in the vehicle the previous evening.  She was not available to have a deputy look at the car and did not want to make a report. 

Citizens in Lake Leelanau are asked to be alert to any suspicious activity and to report it to the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office at 231-256-8800 or tips@co.leelanau.mi.us.

Safe driving is a must

Motorists are reminded that Leelanau County roads are still crowded with visitors and deer.  Stay alert and slow down to stay safe.  Leelanau Sheriff's deputies stopped 29 vehicles Thursday in an attempt to keep motorists safe by enforcing Michigan traffic laws.  As blog followers already know, there have been many alcohol-related crashes and drunk driving arrests recently.  Do your part and don't drink and drive. 

SB man headed back to New Jersey on probation violation

Grand Traverse Band police arrested Joaquin Alfonseca Wednesday on a probation violation out of New Jersey.  Authorities there will extradite Alfonseca, 57, for violating conditions of his probation after being convicted on dangerous drugs charges.

Alfonseca remains jailed without bond pending his return to New Jersey by officers there.

Felony drunk driver arrested on bench warrant

A 44 year-old Lake Leelanau man is back in jail after he failed to appear for arraignment following a 3rd Offense OWI arrest.  Thomas F. Daugherty was arrested in Allen Park on a bench warrant and was transported back to Leelanau County by corrections officers Wednesday.

Daugherty was arrested by Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies on August 10 after his erratic driving attracted the attention of a fellow motorist who called 911 to report the suspected drunk driver.  He remains jailed without bond pending his arraignment and bond review.

OWI probationer jailed

A Suttons Bay man arrested on New Year's Eve for drunk driving is back in jail on a probation violation.  John H. Chippewa, 45, was arrested by Grand Traverse Band police Wednesday on the District Court bench warrant.  He is accused of consuming alcohol in violation of the terms of his probation. 

Chippewa remains jailed without bond pending a District Court appearance Friday. 

Language line may have been a lifesaver

A service utilized by Leelanau Dispatch may have been a lifesaver yesterday.  A spanish speaking woman in Leelanau County for seasonal employment called 911 at 4:47 pm to report that her husband in New York had taken rat poison.  Because of a language barrier with the caller, the dispatcher contacted LanguageLine Solutions for assistance. 

Dispatch has an account with LanguageLine for just such instances.  It can translate 200 languages and connects a translator with the caller and dispatcher in a three-way call.  The customer, in this case Leelanau Dispatch, is charged per minute by LanguageLine for their services.

In the case Tuesday, LanguageLine was utilized and authorities in Putnam Valley, NY were contacted with the information translated by the service.  Putnam Valley law enforcement and EMS were sent to the man's location to investigate and render aid as needed.  The disposition of the events there is unknown.

More information on LanguageLine Solutions is available at http://www.languageline.com/company/history/ and by contacting Leelanau County Emergency Management Director Tom Skowronski at 231-256-8775.

Unlicensed driver rolls truck

A 16 year-old driver without a license failed to slow down enough to make a turn and crashed Tuesday.  Jade E. Strait of Maple City was driving her father's 1997 Ford pickup on S Maple City Road in Cleveland Township.  She attempted to turn onto W Century Road but was going too fast to negotiate the turn.  The vehicle left the roadway, struck a road sign and rolled over.

Strait's father Joseph O. Strait was a passenger in the truck and allowed his daughter to drive.  Jade reported minor back pain but chose to seek her own treatment rather than being transported by Cedar EMS that was on scene.  Joseph Strait was uninjured.  Both occupants were restrained and alcohol was not a factor.

The driver was cited for operating without a license and the case is being reviewed by the Prosecutor's office for possible charges of Allowing an Unlicensed Driver to operate for the vehicle owner.

Fruit stand larcenies flare up again

In what seems to be an annual summer event, fruit stand larcenies have been reported again.  Two stands in Kasson Township were hit earlier this week with over $100 stolen.  The cash boxes were forcibly removed from the stands.  There are no suspects in the thefts and no useful evidence remained at the scene.

Citizens are asked to be aware as they drive by or shop at local fruit stands.  If anything suspicious is observed, contact the Leelanau Dispatch at 231-256-8800.  Anyone with information regarding these two thefts can leave anonymous tips at 256-8696 or tips@co.leelanau.mi.us.

Probationer lodged again

Olivia Gonzalez of Lake Leelanau was arrested in Grand Traverse County Tuesday for violating probation.  She was convicted in Circuit Court in 2008 of Cocaine Delivery and Maintaining a Drug House. 

She was lodged yesterday for failing to report to her parole agent as directed and failing a drug screen.  She remains lodged pending a Circuit Court appearance.     

Traffic stop nets marihuana

A Leelanau County deputy stopped a vehicle for disregarding a stop sign on Hoxie at Bugai Road Monday at 8:41 am.  The 19 year-old Waterford man said he and his friend were trying to get to the Manitou Island Transit and were lost.  The deputy gave them directions to Leland and inquired if they had anything illegal in their car.  The man admitted that he had marihuana in the vehicle.  A small amount of the drug and associated paraphernalia was seized.  The case has been referred to the prosecutor's office for review.

Hot PBT lands man in jail

A man on bond for failing to report an accident was lodged Monday after failing two court-ordered preliminary breath tests.  Christopher G. Lints, 42, Northport, was ordered to submit to daily PBTs as a condition of bond.  He had readings of over .03% on two tests administered and was taken into custody per the bond protocol.

Lints is charged with failing to report a crash when he drove into trees on N Manitou Trail near Sugarbush Lane in Leland Township at 2:25 am on July 3.  He contacted law enforcement 14 hours after the crash was discovered. 

Lints remains jailed without bond until a District Court appearance Friday.

East Lansing man jailed for unpaid child support

Taro C. Taylor, 34, was arrested in his hometown Sunday on a Leelanau County Contempt of Court warrant.  Leelanau Corrections officers picked him up and transported him to the Leelanau County jail Monday where he remains on $300 bond.  If bond is not posted, Taylor will serve 30 days pursuant to a previous Friend of the Court order.

Traverse City woman arrested for illegal entry and domestic violence

Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police arrested a 38 year-old Traverse City woman after she entered the home of her ex-girlfriend and assaulted her.  The incident occurred on E. Ode-Tu-Min on GTB tribal land at 7:29 pm Sunday.  The victim and other witnesses in the home said the suspect entered the unlocked home without permission and confronted a resident their about her having an intimate relationship with the suspect's brother.  The suspect showed the victim an image on her phone and then hit the victim in the face with the phone.

Tribal police and Leelanau County deputies located and arrested the suspect a short time later.  She is being held in the Leelanau County jail on Illegal Entry and Domestic Violence charges awaiting a bond being set by Tribal Court authorities.

3rd offense drunk driver jailed after crash

A 51 year-old Traverse City man remains jailed on 3rd Offense Operating While Impaired after he rolled his truck over in Cleveland Township Sunday.  The crash happened at 6:40 pm on Maple City Road near Lime Lake Road.  Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies policed the accident and determined that the driver appeared to be intoxicated.  He refused to perform field sobriety tests and was arrested for OWI.  His Datamaster breath test was .18%.

The driver refused medical treatment at the scene and remains jailed until a bond is set by the Magistrate for OWI 3rd Offense. 

Targeted OWI enforcement nabs intoxicated driver

An alert citizen and a Leelanau County Sheriff's Office drunk driving enforcement car teamed up to take an intoxicated driver off the road Sunday.  The caller told Leelanau Dispatch that there was a suspected drunk driver in the car ahead on S West Bay Shore Drive south of Suttons Bay.  Leelanau deputies that were targeting intoxicated driving located and stopped the vehicle near Shady Lane at 9:31 pm.

The 33 year-old Traverse City driver was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated after failing field sobriety tasks.  He remains jailed until bond is set by the Magistrate later today. 

Liquor Control Commission funds were used to pay the wages for the drunk driving enforcement unit.  The funds are received by the Sheriff's Office from fees paid by liquor license holders in the county.

Tribal police arrest early morning drunk driver

Grand Traverse Tribal police arrested a Suttons Bay Township woman for OWI and Driving Suspended early Monday morning.  The 32 year-old driver was stopped by Tribal police after she nearly hit them as they stood along Peshawbestown Road at 3:51 am.

The driver showed signs of intoxication and was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated with a High BAC and Driving While License Suspended.  She is being held in the Leelanau County jail pending a bond being set by the magistrate.

Early morning crash hospitalizes TC man

A single car crash on S Cedar Road south of Alpine Road in Solon Township sent a 21 year-old Traverse City man to the hospital.  A homeowner reported hearing the crash and reporting a rolled over in the ditch at 1:45 am Sunday.  Leelanau Deputies arrived and located the lone occupant face down and unresponsive approximately 10 feet away from the vehicle.  Cedar Rescue transported the man to Munson Medical Center for undisclosed injuries.

Alcohol and excessive speed were factors in the crash.  A search warrant for a blood sample from the driver was executed at the hospital.  The case has been turned over the prosecutor's office for review.

High speed chase being investigated

The Leelanau County Prosecutor will decide whether charges will be authorized for an 18 year-old suspect accused of leading Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies and GTB Tribal police on a high speed chase Saturday.

The Traverse City driver was stopped for driving 79 miles per hour on S Center Highway near Shady Lane in Bingham Township at 7:24 pm.  The deputy made contact with the driver who said that he didn't have his license with him and the car belonged to his sister.  The investigator obtained the driver's full name and date of birth and returned to his patrol car to check the man's driving status.

Leelanau Dispatch advised that the man had a suspended license for failing to comply with a judgment on Failed to Yield, No proof of registration and No proof of insurance tickets.  The man's 20 year old female passenger also had a suspended license.

The deputy recontacted the driver and asked him to step from the car.  The man put the car into drive and sped off north on S. Center Highway.  The deputy returned to his patrol car and made chase, joined by a Sheriff's Office Sergeant.  The driver reached speeds up to 100 miles an hour as he arrived into Suttons Bay.  He turned onto Lincoln and then Concord, reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour on the 35 mile per hour side streets.

The fleeing vehicle got back onto S West Bay Shore Drive and headed north to Jacobson Road.  A Tribal police unit joined in the chase in that area as the suspect vehicle went west onto a two track north of McKeese Road.   The suspect lost the pursuing vehicles shortly after turning onto the two track.  A check of the area did not locate the suspect vehicle.

The investigating deputy located a booking photo of the suspect and believes that the driver gave his actual name.  Fleeing and Eluding 3rd degree, Driving While Suspended and No proof of Insurance charges have been requested.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office tipline at 231-256-8696 or tips@co.leelanau.mi.us.

Another car crashes into Empire Township home

It came from a different direction this time, but another vehicle crashed into an Empire Township house early Friday morning.  Leelanau Dispatch received a call at 1:09 am reporting that a car had skidded through the MacFarlane Road/Glenmere Road intersection and crashed.

Responding Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies discovered that the vehicle was still at the scene and the driver had fled.  The vehicle was headed north on MacFarlane Road and was unable to stop for the stop sign for Glenmere Road (M-22).  The vehicle ran over shrubs before launching off a 12-15 foot high retaining wall.  While airborne, the vehicle scraped the side of the residence before landing hard in the back yard of the residence.

Witnesses at a nearby bonfire heard the crash and ran to the scene.  They discovered the suspect trying to drive the vehicle away.  They said he was drunk and worried that they were going to "get him busted".  He was able to get the 2003 Ford Taurus started but was only able to drive a short distance before it stopped running.  The man was last seen running north away from the scene.

Deputies are continuing to investigate the crash and believe the driver was a 28 year-old Traverse City man.  The vehicle, which belongs to a relative of the suspect, was seized as evidence after the crash.

A vehicle ran into boulders that were protecting the home in May.  The vehicle did not stop at the Benzonia Trail/ Glenmere Road intersection and was prevented from crashing into the home by boulders that had been placed in the yard.

Anyone with information regarding the crash or the driver of the vehicle is asked to call the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office tipline at 231-256-8696 or tips@co.leelanau.mi.us.

Four jailed on outstanding warrants

The following suspects were jailed recently on various warrants;

Allison M. Twocrow, 18, Traverse City.  Arrested in Grand Traverse County on a Contempt of Court/ Probation Violation warrant from District Court.  Original charge of Minor in Possession of Alcohol, 3rd Offense.  She was sentenced to 10 days in jail after being found to have violated probation by missing a meeting with her probation officer, not taking daily PBTs as ordered and not having proof of counseling.

Gregory A. Wilson, 51, Grayling.  Wilson had his bond revoked for 7 days, resulting in a 7 day jail stay for violating conditions of an Operating While Under the Influence of Drugs conviction.

Jeffrey S. Liggett, 34, Traverse City.  Sentenced to 5 days in jail after pleading to a reduced charge of Impaired Driving/ 2nd Offense.

Marcos M. Campos, 33, Suttons Bay.  Surrendered on a Circuit Court bench warrant for Failing to Appear at a Show Cause hearing regarding $2,598 in unpaid fines and costs.  Campos was release on $1000 personal recognizance bond pending a Circuit Court hearing.

Swimming Death

On Thursday, 8/15/13, at approximately 1355hrs,  Leelanau deputies, DNR personnel and Glen Arbor Fire and Rescue responded to Sleeping Bear Bay behind the Leelanau School on Old Homestead Road reference an unresponsive male.  When rescue personnel arrived they attended to a male swimmer that was not breathing.  Efforts to revive the victim were unsuccessful.

Witnesses indicated the victim was seen jogging on the beach and then entering the water to swim.  A short time later the witnesses heard the victim yelling and it appeared he was in distress.  Four teenage male witnesses from a summer camp at the school entered the water in an attempt to reach the victim.  It was reported the victim was approximately 200 meters off shore and went under the water before the witnesses could reach him.  The witnesses did retrieve the victim and brought him to shore but he was not breathing. CPR was started and continued by emergency personnel when they arrived.  Unfortunately efforts to revive the victim were unsuccessful.

The victim is identified as Dylan Bailey, a 24yr old male from Detroit.  He was visiting the area with friends.

Leland Township crash lands woman in jail

A 63 year-old Leland Township woman crashed into the trees before reaching her home Wednesday night and was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated as a result.  Leelanau County Sheriff's Office deputies and Michigan State Police investigated the crash at 8:56 pm on N Manitou Trail near Birchwood Drive.  The vehicle left the roadway and ended up in the trees 10 feet off the road.

The driver showed signs of intoxication and was arrested for OWI.  The driver refused medical treatment and was given a blood test at Munson Medical Center to determine her level of intoxication.  She had a .18% prelininary breath test when booked into the jail. 

She posted $100 interim bond and was released pending a District Court appearance.

Man arrested in Emmet County on Leelanau FOC warrant

William P. Shananaquet, 37, was picked up by Leelanau Corrections officers after being lodged in Emmet County on a Friend of the Court bench warrant.  Shananaquet, of Grand Rapids, is being held on $800 bond.  He will serve 30 days in jail of bond is not posted.

More cold weather keeps things quiet in the County

Daytime temperatures in the 60s that dipped into the 50s kept things quiet in Leelanau County over the past 24 hours.  No doubt activity will pick up with increased temperatures predicted for the coming weekend.

Larceny from vehicle in Glen Arbor reported

A St John's man reported that several items were taken from a locked vehicle.  The victim said the items were taken while he was in a Glen Arbor restaurant at 4:48 pm Tuesday.  An iPod touch with headphones and $10 cash were reported missing.  The victim told Leelanau dispatch that he was on the way home to St. John's and didn't have time to meet a deputy for a report.

Sign thieves captured on video in Cedar

Store security video captured 5 people ripping a sign off a Cedar business Tuesday.  The incident occurred around 8:24 pm Tuesday at Bunting's Market.  Store employees reported that 4 males and a female appearing to be in their 20's tore a sign off the sign of the store and threw it into the back of a blue extended cab pickup truck.

Anyone who may have information regarding the theft is asked to call the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office tipline at 231-256-8696 or tips@co.leelanau.mi.us.

Overturned kayaker brought to shore safely

Quick thinking people on shore helped to rescue an overturned kayaker in Big Glen Lake Monday.  Leelanau Dispatch received a call for service at 8:37 pm with the report of an overturned watercraft and woman in the water with it.  The victim was wearing a personal flotation device.

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies and marine patrol were dispatched, in addition to Glen Arbor Fire Department and their rescue boat.  The original callers didn't wait for rescuers to arrive and got into their own boat and plucked the woman out of the water.  When they got to shore, law enforcement and EMS were there to check out the victim, who was uninjured and did not require medical attention.

There were winds with gusts up to 30 miles per hour in Leelanau County around the time of the incident.  Citizens are reminded to use caution and be aware of quickly changing weather conditions when going out onto the waters of the County.

Deputies unable to locate reported gunmen

Leelanau Dispatch received a report of 5 young males with rifles and a pistol in Northport Tuesday morning.  The call was received at 1:26 am and the caller reported that the men were walking out of town on 5th St. 

Deputies responded and were unable to locate the men.  There were no other calls involving the group and it is believed that they were playing with either paintball or Airsoft guns.  There is no reason to believe the men possessed actual firearms or pose any danger to Northport residents.

2 Saturday afternoon OWI arrests made

Two drivers were arrested for Operating While Intoxicated in separate incidents Saturday afternoon.  The first involved a 44 year-old Traverse City woman rear-ending another vehicle that was waiting to turn onto S French Road from E Duck Lake Road in Leland Township at 3:56 pm.  There were no injuries in the crash but the at-fault driver showed signs of intoxication when Leelanau County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived.

She failed field sobriety tasks and a blood test was done at Munson Medical Center. The driver was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond after being charged with OWI with High BAC > .17.

30 minutes later, a citizen reported to Leelanau Dispatch that there was a suspected drunk driver on S Lake Leelanau Drive in Bingham Township that was driving all over the road.  The deputy who policed the crash at E Duck Lake Road and French Road earlier was on the way to Munson Medical Center for the suspect blood draw from that incident.  The deputy located the reported drunk driver and detained the man until another deputy arrived.

The 44 year-old Lake Leelanau driver appeared intoxicated and failed field sobriety tasks.  He was arrested and charged with OWI 3rd offense after refusing the breath test.  A search warrant was obtained and a blood test performed at Munson Medical Center.  He was released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond pending a District Court appearance.

Westland man injured after being struck in parking lot

A 50 year-old man was hospitalized after being struck and knocked to the ground by a vehicle backing out a parking spot.  The incident occurred at 7:17 pm Saturday in the parking lot of Anderson's IGA in Glen Arbor Township.  Rakeesh K. Parikh was walking behind a vehicle being operated by 19 year-old Jonathon J. Kraatz of Lenox.  Kraatz began to back up and did not see Parikh.  The man was knocked to the pavement, requiring medical care for multiple injuries.  He was transported to Munson Medical Center by Glen Lake EMS.

No citations were issued and alcohol or excessive speed were not factors in the crash.

Sunday crash sends child to hospital

A crash at the intersection of W Empire Highway and S Benzonia Trail in Empire Township sent a 3 year-old Tennessee girl to Munson Medical Center.  Grace A Deleone was a back seat passenger in a vehicle driven by her mother Ann L. Deleone, 33.  The driver was at the stop sign on southbound Benzonia Trail.  She drove into the intersection into the path of an eastbound vehicle driven by Denise A. Doherty-Bennett, 63, of Empire.  Neither driver was injured.

Doherty-Bennett's passenger Barry A. Bennett, 70, was slightly injured but was not transported to the hospital.  Both Grace Deleone and her infant brother Isaac A. Deleone were in car safety seats.  All adults in the crash were belted and there was airbag deployment in both vehicles.  Glen Arbor EMS transported the injured child to the hospital.

Four lodged for probation violations

Four probationers were lodged for various probation violations over the weekend.  They were:

Dennis R. Conley, 23, Suttons Bay, served a 3 day Circuit Court probation detainer for violating terms of probation on drug delivery charges in Grand Traverse County.  Conley had a positive drug test.

Jacob F. Finstad, 29, Empire. was jailed for a failed drug test after being convicted of Operating While Intoxicated 3rd offense in Circuit Court.

Randall J. Peters, 47, Traverse City, was arrested in Grand Traverse County on a Circuit Court bench warrant for failing to appear regarding unpaid fines and costs.  Peters was convicted of Attempted Felonious Assault and remains lodged with a $1,369.62 bond.

Amanda J. Gougeon, 26, Grosse Pointe Park, sentenced to 6 days for violating District Court OWI probation terms.

Wyoming woman arrest on assault warrant

A 32 year-old woman was arrested by Michigan State Police on a warrant Saturday.  Rachael F. Jones is accused of assaulting a family member in Leelanau Township in February.  Jones was released on a $1,500 personal recognizance bond.

 

Early morning crash sends woman to hospital

A 24 year-old Cedar woman was taken to Munson Medical Center after rolling her vehicle Wednesday morning.  Sara M. Karns was northbound on N Manitou Trail near Overby Road in Leland Township.  She lost control on a curve due to excessive speed and her vehicle left the roadway and rolled over onto it's top.  Karns was transported by Cedar Rescue for her injuries. 

Probation violator arrested in Harper Woods

Leelanau County Corrections officers travelled to Wayne County to pick up a prisoner wanted for a probation violation.  Amanda J. Gougeon, 26, was arrested in Harper Woods on the Leelanau County warrant.  She is accused of violating probation after an Operating While Intoxicated conviction.  She remains lodged in Leelanau County pending a District Court appearance.

Three jailed from District Court

Three probationers were sentenced after pleading guilty to probation violations Friday.  They are:

Calandria F. Hurlin, 23, Empire.  Sentenced to 20 days in jail with work release for violating her Aggravated Assault probation terms.  She pleaded guilty to assaulting another woman at the Cedar Polka Fest in July 2012.

Christine M. Lopez, 45, Cedar.  Sentenced to 93 days in jail for violating terms of a deferred Domestic Violence conviction.  Lopez pleaded guilty to assaulting a family member during an October 2012 incident.  The deferred sentence was revoked by the Court.

Jeffrey H. Marek, 32, Traverse City.  Sentenced to 93 days in jail for violating terms of an Operating While Intoxicated conviction.  Marek pleaded guilty to the charge following a May 2013 arrest.


Nicholas W. Ramey was arrested on a Michigan Department of Corrections parole detainer.  Ramey, 30, Interlochen, is on parole after guilty pleas to 3 drug charges in Grand Traverse County.  He remains jailed pending a Circuit Court appearance. 

Tribal Police arrest Suttons Bay man

Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police arrested David D. Weese on the GTB reservation Tuesday.  Weese, 23, was wanted for contempt charges relating to Friend of the Court unpaid child support.  He was released after posting bond.

Deputies arrest driver for High BAC

A 33 year-old Cedar man was arrested Tuesday after he was stopped for driving in the oncoming lane.  A Leelanau County deputy had to take evasive action to avoid a collision as the driver came over a hill on Bellinger Road near Darga on the wrong side of the road.  The driver admitted to drinking 12 beers before driving.

After making contact with the driver, the deputy determined there was probable cause to further investigate for OWI.  The man failed field sobriety tasks and was arrested.  He had a .19% Datamaster breath test result and was charged with Operating While Intoxicated with a High BAC. 

The driver remains jailed pending bond being set by the magistrate.

Maple City man arrested after early evening crash

A 56 year-old Kasson Township man was taken to jail after he drove his vehicle into a ditch on Newman Road Monday.  Leelanau Dispatch was called at 7:14 pm and advised of the crash.  A Leelanau County deputy responded and determined that the man showed obvious signs of intoxication.  He was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and a blood test was performed at Munson Medical Center.  The man was uninjured in the crash and the vehicle sustained minor damage. 

Low flying helicopter flying in County

Wolverine Power reports that a helicopter is flying Monday and Tuesday over power lines in Leelanau County.  It is a green and tan Bell jet and will be over the County between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. 

Public Safety Day coming up

Click on the News Brief tab on the home page to see details about this year's Public Safety Day coming up on August 28th.  Fun for the whole family, so come out and meet the first responders of Leelanau County.

 

More MIPs written again this weekend

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies encountered minors who had consumed alcohol on 3 unrelated calls over the weekend.

The first occurred near Empire Beach at 9:14 pm Friday.  The Sheriff's deputy assigned to Empire village was on foot patrol at the beach.  He observed two men on a hill near the beach with alcohol containers in front of them.  One of the men looked under 21 so the deputy made contact.

A 20 year-old Maple City man was cited for being a Minor in Possession of Alcohol and was given 10 days to contact District Court.

The next incident happened in Leelanau Township at 1:57 am Saturday.  Leelanau Dispatch received a 911 hangup call which appeared to be an accidental dial.  The phone line was open and dispatchers heard what appeared to be intoxicated individuals talking about going to Taco Bell.

Dispatchers were able to locate the GPS coordinates and Leelanau Deputies located a fire pit on N Overlook Road.  4-5 people scattered when the patrol car arrived.  Two males were apprehended by deputies. 

A 17 year-old Farmington Hills youth was cited for being a Minor in Possession of Alcohol.  He registered a .13 Blood Alcohol Content.  A 19 year-old man from Lahaina, HI was also given an MIP for having a BAC of .07. 

The other revelers were able to escape and were not cited.  The minors refused to divulge the source of the alcohol.

5 MIP tickets were issued at the Empire Campground at 1:14 am Sunday.  Leelanau County deputies responded to a loud noise complaint at the campground and discovered 7 underage people. 

Investigation revealed that 5 of the 7 had been consuming alcohol and were under 21 years of age.  Citations were issued to a 16 year old female, a 19 year-old male and 18 year-old male, all from Long Lake Township in Grand Traverse County.  Also cited were a 19 year-old from Smithfield, VA and an 18 year-old from Lake Ann.

Preliminary breath tests results ranged from .04 to .11.  All will appear before the magistrate on MIP charges.

Driver arrested for operating with suspended license

A 48 year-old Suttons Bay man was cited for Driving with a suspended license after being stopped for illegally passing on the right.  The deputy made the stop on Main St. in Lake Leelanau at 7:38 pm Friday.

The driver admitted to having a suspended license and was taken into custody.  He was released after posting $100 interim bond pending a District Court appearance.

Two arrested on warrants

Paul A. Harrington, 25, of Grawn was arrested Sunday on two Leelanau County bench warrants.  He failed to appear at a show cause hearing after 2 driving related convictions.  Harrington remains jailed without bond.

A 32 year-old woman was arrested after Leelanau deputies responded to her Lake Leelanau home after 911 was called and yelling could be heard in the background.  Deputies responded and learned that the woman was wanted in Grand Traverse County on a Retail Fraud 3rd Degree Charge. 

She posted $100 interim bond pending a Grand Traverse County court appearance.

Golf car crashes send 2 to hospital

Two teens were hospitalized with serious injuries following a crash at 6:40 pm Thursday.  The incident happened on Amore Road west of Popp Rd. in Centerville Township.  Chandler M. Grier, 17, Linwood was driving an EZ-Go golf car westbound down a hill on Amore Road.  He was going too fast and lost control on a curve on the gravel road.

Leelanau County deputies investigating the crash said his two passengers were ejected from the vehicle.  Collin J. Grier, 15, Linwood, and Benjamin P. Rhodes, 14, Traverse City, were both transported to Munson Medical Center by Cedar Rescue.  Safety belts were not available for any of the teens.  Excessive speed was the cause of the crash but no citation was issued.  Alcohol was not a factor.

Man arrested after confessing to setting his car on fire

A 28 year-old Suttons Bay Township man is in jail on arson charges after confessing to a Leelanau County Sheriff's detective that he set his car on fire.  Smoke was reported by neighbors on E. Duck Lake Road at 7:41 am Friday.  Suttons Bay/Bingham, Leland and Leelanau Township fire departments responded and discovered a car that was ablaze and flames that had spread to a home the vehicle was parked next to.

No one was injured in the blaze.  The vehicle was a total loss and damage to the house was minimized by the quick and efficient response by the fire departments.

The homeowner could not be located at the home but was found walking on E Duck Lake Road near Horn Road a short time later.  He told investigators that he was walking to the Sheriff's Office to report that he had started the fire.  He later told the detective that he started the car on fire because "things weren't going as planned" and intended for the blaze to burn his house down as well.  The vehicle was parked adjacent to the house.

The man remains jailed on Arson of Personal Property over $1000 charges pending an appearance before the magistrate.  The maximum penalty if convicted is 5 years in prison.

OWI probationer jailed for substance abuse

Charles J. Sienkwicz, Leland, was jailed Thursday for 3 days on a probation violation.  He is accused of using drugs or alcohol which are prohibited by the terms of his probation.  Sienkwicz, 43, was convicted of Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense which resulted in the term of supervision.

Elmwood Township woman appears on U&P charge

Amber D. Oien, 39, is lodged in the Leelanau County jail on a bench warrant for failing to appear on an Uttering and Publishing charge.  She is charged with cashing stolen checks that with two other women.  The checks were stolen from a Suttons Bay Township home and two of the checks cashed at a financial institution in Traverse City.  

Oien remains jailed without bond pending a court appearance.  Uttering and Publishing is a felony punishable by maximum 14 years in prison.

Unarmed robber arraigned

A 32 year-old Suttons Bay man was arraigned for trying to rob the Speedway gas station in Elmwood Township.  Pedro Morales remains jailed on $500,000 cash/surety bond after being officially charged with Attempted Unarmed Robbery, a 5 year felony, and being a Habitual Offender, 4th Offense.  The habitual offender charge has a maximum penalty of Life in prison.

An off-duty Leelanau County Sheriff's deputy called Leelanau Dispatch at 1:25 am on July 26.  He was working as an clerk at the Speedway gas station in Greilickville.  He reported to dispatch that a man entered the store and demanded money.  The clerk refused to give the man any money and he fled the store.

Deputies were at a nearby business when the call of the attempted robbery came out and observed a vehicle fitting the description given by the off-duty deputy speed by, southbound on S. West Bay Shore Drive.

A stop was made and the female driver was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and Driving with a Suspended License.  Carlyn S. Kahgegab, 41, of Suttons Bay, failed field sobriety tasks and had a Datamaster breath test of .21% at the Leelanau County jail.  She told deputies that she and Morales had been drinking in Peshawbestown and were going to Traverse City when he told her to stop at the Speedway station.  He took her bridge card and went into the store for cigarettes and pop.  She said he came running out a short time later, and yelled "let's go, get the hell out of here".  She denied knowing that he was going to rob the store when he went in.

Kahgegab was released on a personal recognizance bond of $5,000 and is scheduled to appear Friday in District Court.  She has not been charged in the robbery.

Circuit Court probationer jailed

Michael K. May, of Williamsburg, was jailed on a bench warrant Wednesday for violating terms of his probation.  He was convicted of Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense following a November 2009 arrest.  May, 49, is accused of violating probation by using alcohol, driving a vehicle and getting fired for reporting to work under the influence.  He remains jailed without bond pending a Circuit Court appearance.