Night Before Halloween is Quiet

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office experienced a quiet devils night.  The road patrol deputies handled 30 events, all which proved to be routine.  Such things as traffic stops, car deer accidents, alarms and a couple suspicious incidents that proved to be unfounded.

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office asks everyone to be safe while going door to door trick or treating this evening and keep an eye out for people walking in the roadways or crossing the streets.  Adults should accompany young children and everyone should wear something reflective on their clothing or carry a flashlight to be seen.  Together we can make sure this is safe evening for everyone.

Lake Leelanau man arrested on bench warrant

24 year-old Justin G. Greene was arrested on a District Court bench warrant Tuesday.  He was stopped for an equipment violation by Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies on N Lake Leelanau Drive near Eagle Highway at 10:28 pm.  Greene was wanted for failing to appear for arraignment on Driving While License Suspended charges from a June 2013 traffic stop.

Greene is held on a $100 cash bond on the warrant and was also charged with Driving Suspended again.

Drunk driver failed to dim bright lights

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies stopped a vehicle for failing to dim its bright lights and not having visible tail lights on S West Bay Shore Drive near Murray Court Monday.  The stop occurred at 11:23 pm. 

Deputies made contact with the driver who had vomited in his car.  The 21 year-old Traverse City man appeared intoxicated and failed all field sobriety tasks.  He was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and had a Datamaster breath test result of .12%.

The man was released on a $3,000 personal recognizance bond and will appear in 86th District Court Friday.

Peshawbestown woman lodged after hot PBT

Tera D. John was arrested on a Grand Traverse Band bond violation Monday morning when she registered alcohol content on two preliminary breath tests.  The daily tests are part of her bond after being arrested for Operating While Intoxicated by Tribal police in August.  John, 32, remains jailed pending a Tribal Court appearance.

Lake Leelanau man jailed after failing probation

25 year-old Adam N. Osiecki was sentenced to 30 days and had his probation terminated as unsuccessful Friday in District Court.  Osiecki was convicted of Operating While Intoxicated 2nd Offense and Attempted Interference with a Police Investigation.

Osiecki was arrested after being stopped for driving 80 miles per hour at 2:30am in July 2012.  He told the Leelanau County Sheriff's sergeant who stopped him that "I have several hundred dollars.  Can you just take me home?"

Osiecki was arrested for OWI 2nd and registered a .21% on the Datamaster breath test instrument. 

Suspended driver arrested

A 24 year-old Lake Leelanau woman was arrested Saturday for Driving While Suspended after being stopped for speeding by a Leelanau County deputy.  She was stopped on E Duck Lake Road near Herman Road in Suttons Bay Township and had her privileges suspended by the Michigan Secretary of State.

Since it was a second offense, the woman was arrested and later posted interim $100 bond pending a District Court appearance.

Kaleva woman arrested for OWI

A 34 year-old woman was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated after being stopped for running the flashing red light at E Traverse Highway and S Bugai Road Saturday.  She was stopped at 2:09am by Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies and showed signs of intoxication upon contact.  The driver failed field sobriety tasks given and was arrested. 

The suspect was released later in the day after posting interim bond and will appear in District Court Friday.

Employee thefts reported by two businesses

Businesses in Elmwood and Leelanau Township reported unrelated employee thefts to the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office Friday.  The calls were received within 90 minutes of each other and involved an employee suspected of stealing 2 bottles of alcohol and the other taking money for the past few months.

Both cases were assigned to deputies who are actively investigating the complaints.  Embezzlement by an Agent or Trustee under $200 is a misdemeanor with a 93 day maximum jail sentence.  The penalty increases to one year if the amount is over $200 but less than $1000.

Manistee man cited for DWLS

A driver stopped for failing to yield to oncoming traffic was ticketed for Driving with a Suspended License.  The 33 year-old man pulled out of the Lake Leelanau BP station at 10:03 am Thursday, causing an oncoming vehicle to brake hard and blow it's horn.

A Leelanau County Sheriff's deputy observed the violation and stopped the offender.  A license check showed the man's privileges were suspended.  Since it was a first offense, the man was ticketed and released when a license driver arrived to drive the vehicle away.

DWLS is a 93 day misdemeanor with further suspensions possible.

Empire man injured in single car crash

A 68 year-old Empire man was taken to Munson Medical Center after his vehicle left a gravel driveway and struck a utility pole Thursday.  Erik L. Foged crashed at 7:11pm on a private drive off of S LaCore St. in Empire.  Empire Fire Department and Glen Arbor Rescue worked with the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office at the scene and transported the victim to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.

It was unknown if the driver was restrained before the crash and blood tests results are awaited to complete the investigation.



The crash remains under investigation pending

Northport man arrested for High BAC

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies located a suspected drunk driver that was reported to Leelanau Dispatch at 6:48pm Wednesday.  The 56 year-old man was located north of Overlook Road on N. West Bay Shore Drive in Leelanau Township when he was stopped for erratic driving. 

He showed signs of intoxication and failed all field sobriety tests given.  After being arrested, the man registered .25% on the Datamaster breath test instrument.  He remains jailed until a bond is set by the magistrate.

Updated news briefs posted

Check out the News Briefs tab for news about Saturday's Drug Take Back Day and information about the newly issued $100 bill.

Interlochen man arrested on drug charge

A 53 year-old Interlochen man stopped for a traffic violation was wanted on drug charges in Allegan County.  A Leelanau County Sheriff's deputy stopped the man on S West Bay Shore Drive near Crain Hill Road in Elmwood Township Tuesday morning.  A driver's license check showed the man was wanted for Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Analogues.

He was transported to the Leelanau County jail where a bail bondsman posted $5000 for the man's release.

Southbird arrested on bench warrant

Mauricio L. Southbird, 19, was arrested in Grand Traverse County Tuesday.  Southbird was put on the Leelanau's Wanted page recently.  He was picked up on a probation violation bench warrant from Circuit Court.  He is accussed of changing his address without notifying his probation officer and for being unsuccessfully discharged from a drug treatment program.

Southbird, of Northport, pleaded guilty to Larceny in a Building after a daytime break-in in Empire Township.  He remains jailed without bond pending a Circuit Court appearance and possible re-sentencing on the original charge.

Peshawbestown man lodged for unpaid child support

Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police arrested Anthony A. Agosa on a Friend of the Court bench warrant Tuesday.  Agosa, 38, was picked up at his home on the GTB Reservation for being $2060 behind in child support payments.  He is being held on $2060 bond in the Leelanau County jail.

Pedestrian attacked by dogs

A 47 year-old Northport woman was treated for multiple dog bites after being attacked while walking on N Overlook Road in Leelanau Township.  Janice K. Schmuckal was walking on the shoulder of the road at 10:30 am Thursday when two large dogs ran away from their owner and began to bite her.  She was bitten on the arm and leg multiple times by the two dogs.

A passing motorist stopped and called 911 for the victim.  Leelanau Township Deputy Steve Bailey responded several minutes later and was assisted at the scene by Animal Control Deputy Wayne Kalchik.  The dogs owner, Jane A. Weaver, 61, came to the road and took the dogs back to the house.  She told investigators that the most aggressive dog had bitten someone in the past but the other one had not.

Weaver was cited for having a dog that shows vicious habits and molests or bites a passerby when such person is lawfully on the public right of way.  The dogs must be quarantined for 10 days to ensure they are not rabid.  The decision of whether or not the dogs will be destroyed will be made by the Leelanau County Prosecutor's Office.

                                                 Explosion destroys NPS restroom

An early morning explosion rocked an area of Cleveland Township and destroyed the restroom at the School Lake Boat Launch.  The launch is located on S Bohemian Road and is on National Park Service property.

Leelanau Dispatch received a call at 4:29 am Sunday morning from a citizen near the intersection of Maple City Road and W Harbor Highway.  The caller reported hearing a large explosion that shook his house and it was not lightning.  The man searched the area before calling and was unable to locate what may have caused the noise.

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies were sent to the area but were also unable to locate any sign of an explosion.  The launch site is not visible from S Bohemian Road and is nearly 2 miles away from the home of the man who called 911.

Later in the day, dispatch received a call that the outhouse at the School Lake boat launch had been severely damaged.  NPS rangers were sent to investigate and discovered that the structure appeared to have been blown up.  They secured the scene and remained there until bomb technicians from the FBI and Michigan State Police Bomb Squad arrived on Monday morning.

The technicians determined that a bomb had been placed in or next to the structure and was the cause of the blast.  Further details of the investigation are not being released at this time.  Estimated damage to the site is $14,000 and the launch site has been re-opened to the public.

The National Park Service is investigating the incident and questions regarding the matter should be directed to Chief Ranger Phil Akers at 231-326-5135.  Anyone with information on the persons responsible for the explosion are asked to contact the NPS or the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office at 231-256-8800 or the Confidential Tipline at 231-256-8696.  Email information should be sent to tips@co.leelanau.mi.us.

SB man sentenced for being disorderly person

30 year-old Jordan T. Anderson of Suttons Bay Township was sentenced to 4 days in jail Friday.  He pleaded guilty to being a Disorderly Person/ Drunk in District Court earlier.

Anderson was arrested on September 14 at 2:15 am after a Leelanau Township resident reported a man passed out the front yard.  Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies arrived and after waking Anderson up, determined that he was intoxicated and reporting that he crashed his girlfriend's car somewhere.  His blood alcohol was .21%.

After arresting Anderson, deputies and Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police searched the area for a possible crash site without success.  Neither Anderson nor his girlfriend ever reported an accident.

He will have 365 days of probation which will include daily breath tests, monthly drug testing, 2 days community service work and twice weekly AA or NA attendance.  Anderson must also pay $525 fines and costs.

Kind hearted Leelanau residents    

1- Caruncles   2- Snood   3- Dewlap 
4-  Major Caruncles   5- Beard

Sunday afternoon a caller told Leelanau Dispatch that they were worried that a turkey on S Plowman Road was in danger.  The caller felt that because of the the tom's enlarged caruncles, snood and dewlap, the bird's vision was obstructed to the point of making it dangerous for the critter to cross the road.

Dispatch informed the Leelanau County DNR Conservation officer of the situation. 

 

 

 

 

 

East Jordan man arrested

A 53 year-old East Jordan man was arrested for Operating While Impaired Saturday.  Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies stopped the man for driving 3 feet over the fog line on several occasions on S West Bay Shore near McCallister Road in Suttons Bay Township.  He admitted to consuming liquor shots and said he should not have been driving and was probably over the limit.

The man was right.  He failed field sobriety tasks given and was arrested for OWI.  He was later released on $100 interim bond and will appear in District Court later in the week.

Hunting gear reported stolen

A Bingham Township hunter reported to the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office that someone had stolen items from his tree stand.  The man said a trail camera with a solar panel and a canopy were taken within the last two weeks from the stand in the Jade Drive area.

Anyone with information about the theft or the location of the stolen items is asked to call the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office at 231-256-8800 or on the Confidential Tipline at 231-256-8696.  Information can be emailed to tips@co.leelanau.mi.us.

Suspended driver hits deer

A 25 year-old Suttons Bay Township woman went into the ditch on E Gallivan Road in Solon Township after striking a deer Thursday evening.  Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies responded to police the accident.  The driver's status was checked and discovered to be expired and suspended for not taking care of an April 2013 speeding citation.

A Driving While License Suspended citation was issued and the matter will be dealt with in District Court.

Felony drunk driver surrenders on probation violation bench warrant

Jacob F. Finstad, 29, of Empire, was arrested Thursday for violating terms of his Felony Drunk Driving probation.  Finstad pleaded guilty to Operating While Intoxicated Third Offense after a June 2008 arrest.  He remains jailed without bond pending a Circuit Court appearance and possible re-sentencing on the charge.

District Court sends 4 to jail

In a rare Thursday District Court day, 4 defendants were given jail time and are in the Leelanau County jail.

Roel Roman, 31, of Cedar, was given 90 days for Attempted Interference with a Communication Device.  Roman will be eligible for Community Corrections after 60 days served.  The plea is a result of a domestic violence incident in September where Roman took a cell phone away from the victim which prevented her from dialing 911.  Roman will be supervised for 730 days upon release and will be required to submit to daily breath tests, attnd 2 12-step meetings per week, have drug screening and community service work.

Michael P. Fewins, 35, of Traverse City, was sentenced to 30 days in jail with work release after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of Malicious Destruction of Property under $200.  Fewins was originally charged with Second Offense Domestic Violence after assaulting his estranged wife at their marital home in Elmwood Township in September.  Fewins and his wife were in the process of a divorce and he was not living in the home at the time.  He entered the home and suspected another man was there when he saw a pair of men's shoes inside the front door.  Fewins physically moved his wife out of the way before kicking in a bathroom door to discover a man was in the bathroom and had just gotten out of the shower.  There was not a confrontation between Fewins and the man.  Fewins must attend 36 weekly sessions of the Mens anger management program during 365 days of probation.  He must also pay $527.84 to replace the door he damaged in he and his wife's home.

Carlyn S. Kahgegab, 41, of Suttons Bay was sentenced to 120 days in jail after pleading guilty to Operating While Intoxicated with a High BAC >.17%.  She was the driver of a vehicle that dropped off Pedro Morales at an Elmwood Township gas station that he tried to rob in July.  Kahgegab will have 730 days of supervised release after her jail sentence which will include daily breath tests, drug screens, community service work and substance abuse counseling.

Allison M. Graham, 19, Elmwood Township, was sentenced to 20 days for violating terms of her Use of Marihuana probation.  She pleaded guilty to using drugs while on supervision.  Her probation was revoked as unsuccessful but all fines and costs were preserved and must still be paid.

Break-in defendant jailed for bond violation

One of the two men arrested for breaking into a Cedar business has been arrested for violating bond.  Scott A. Johnston, 21, of Traverse City, surrendered Thursday after learning there was a bench warrant for his arrest.  Johnston failed to appear for daily breath tests and a random drug screen as ordered in his conditions of bond. He remains jailed without bond until he appears in Circuit Court.

Johnston was arrested with Cole Rancour, 23, of Traverse City, on September 16 for breaking into the Blue Moon Ice Cream Shop in Cedar.  Rancour remains free on $5,000/ 10% bond pending his next Circuit Court appearance.

Domestic assault investigated

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies investigated a Domestic Assault report which occurred in Suttons Bay Township Wednesday evening.  It involved a mother and her 16 year-old son. 

No details of the investigation will be released at this time.  The case has been turned over to the Leelanau County Prosecutor for review of potential criminal charges.

Tuesday crash sends 3 to hospital

A two car crash in Solon Township sent both drivers and a 12 year-old passenger to Munson Medical Center.

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies investigated the crash that occurred on E Traverse Highway at S Cedar Road at 7:40 pm.  Jeramy N. Seabolt, 39, of Kalkaska, was southbound on S Cedar Road and did not stop at the stop sign.  His vehicle struck a westbound vehicle driven by Trista L. Erickson, 41, of Interlochen.

Seabolt's Toyota Tacoma pickup struck Erickson's Chrysler Pacifica mini-van on the passenger side where Kadyn W. Duford, 12, was seated.  Erickson's vehicle was forced off the roadway into the ditch from the impact of the crash.  All three sustained multiple injuries and were transported to Munson by Cedar Rescue and Northflight.

All occupants were wearing safety belts and there was airbag deployment in Seabolt's truck.  It was raining at the time of the crash and alcohol was not a factor.  The accident remains under investigation and enforcement action may be taken after the investigation is complete.

Deputies often requested to help people get along

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies were called to two homes Monday evening for verbal disagreements.  The first was in Bingham Township with a man reporting that his wife was out of control.  The issue was only verbal and both parties were allowed to remain in the home with the understanding that things needed to remain calm for the remainder of the evening.

The second call was in Suttons Bay Village and involved a woman reporting that her grown son would not let her leave the apartment because she had been drinking.  Deputies responded and negotiated a peaceful resolve that both parties were satisfied with.  No physical contact occurred between mother and son.

Found purse, no found gun

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies returned a found purse to its owner that left it at a Suttons Bay Township business Monday.  Deputies were unable to locate a handgun along a stretch of E Duck Lake Road that a motorist reported that she may have seen.  It is believed that the caller was mistaken in believing it was a weapon along the road.

Deputies also spoke to a Glen Arbor Township woman  Monday afternoon in response to her believing someone knocked on her door at 2:30 am.  They also did a welfare check in Kasson Township later in the afternoon when a man said his neighbor had not reported to work and he believed something may be wrong because he heard engine noises at her house at 4:00 am.  The woman's welfare was good.

Not just citizen motorists involved in car/deer crashes

A Sheriff's sergeant was responding to assist Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police at 2:13 am when a deer struck his patrol vehicle on S Lakeshore Drive in Centerville Township.  The damage was minor and he was able to continue to assist GTBPD on the suicidal subject call.

Leelanau Sheriff's deputies have been involved in 5 car/deer crashes so far in 2013.  That may seem like a lot but considering multiple patrol cars are driving county roads 24 hours per day, every day, is it really that many?  Over 421,000 miles have been logged through the end of September by the LCSO fleet.  That's not too bad considering................



 

Two arrested in Grand Rapids on Leelanau warrants

Leelanau County Sheriff's corrections officers travelled to Kent County Sunday to retrieve two suspects arrested there on Leelanau County bench warrants.

Ryan A. Sova, 28, of Wyoming, was arrested on a Circuit Court probation violation for failing to appear to his probation officer as directed.  He is being held with no bond.  Sova was convicted of Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense after being arrested in June 2012.  Sova called Leelanau Dispatch at 8:30 pm to report that he was lost and stuck somewhere in the southern part of the county.

A Leelanau Sheriff's deputy located Sova, who was admittedly drunk, lost and stuck.  His vehicle appeared to have been involved in a crash but he said he was too drunk to remember what he hit.  After his arrest, he took the Datamaster breath test instrument with a .20% result.  He also admitted to smoking marihuana before driving and to being a heroin user, although he denied using that day.

Carlyn S. Kahgegab, 41, of Suttons Bay, was picked up for failing to appear for a pre-sentence hearing and for not taking court-ordered daily breath tests for 4 days.

Kahgegab pleaded guilty to Operating While Intoxicated with a High BAC after being arrested on July 26, 2013.  She was the driver of a vehicle involved in an unarmed robbery at an Elmwood Township gas station in the early morning hours.  Her passenger, Pedro Morales, Jr., 33, went into the station and demanded money.  An off-duty Leelanau Sheriff's deputy who was working at the business refused to give Morales money and told him to leave.

The clerk called Leelanau 911 and gave a vehicle description and direction of travel for the suspects.  A deputy was in position to see the suspect vehicle pass by.  A stop was made and Kahgegab was arrested for OWI.  Her blood alcohol content was .25%.  She was never charged in the robbery attempt.

Morales remains jailed on $500,000 bond on Attempted Unarmed Robbery and Habitual Offender 4th Offense charges.  Kahgagab is in jail with no bond pending a District Court appearance on Friday.

Four sentenced in District Court

Three defendants were sentenced to jail in District Court recently for Operating While Intoxicated and one for Possessing a Firearm While Intoxicated.

Cynthia M. Stowe, 52, of Traverse City, was sentenced to 93 days in jail after pleading guilty to OWI with a High BAC.  She was arrested in the early morning hours in August 2011 after being stopped by Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies for speeding in Elmwood Township.  Her Datamaster blood alcohol level was .24%.

Richard L. Scott, 59, Traverse City, was sentenced to 365 days in jail after pleading guilty to 3rd Offense OWI in Circuit Court.  Scott was arrested by Michigan State Police in October 2011.

Helen M. Chippewa, 54, of Suttons Bay, was involved in a crash north of Peshawbestown in May 2013.  She had a blood alcohol level of .10% and later pleaded guilty to Operating While Intoxicated Second Offense.  She was sentenced to 5 days in jail and 2 years probation.

Brian A. Davis, 43, of Maple City, was given 93 days in jail for Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated.  Davis was arrested at his family's home in Cleveland Township in September 2013 after his mother called Leelanau 911 to report that she thought he fired his handgun in the basement of the house.

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies arrived and found Davis passed out in a chair in the basement with his handgun next to him.  He admitted to firing the weapon outside of the walk-in basement door because of frustrations and stress.  Davis will be on 2 years probation with drug and alcohol monitoring programs in place and will not be allowed to possess any firearms.

Beautiful weather, quiet County

There was nothing of note that occurred in the past 24 hours but that doesn't mean Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies weren't working.  There was the larceny of a 12 foot aluminum boat in Leelanau Township, a neighbor dispute in Elmwood Township and an intoxicated pedestrian who was having trouble navigating in Leland Township at 3:35 pm.

Deputies stopped 13 vehicles for traffic violations, policed one traffic crash with no injuries and 2 car/deer crashes.  3 false alarms and 2 animal complaints rounded out Thursday.  No new inmates were booked into the jail but that will not be the case Friday with District Court in session.

Enjoy the beautiful splendor of Leelanau County this weekend safely.

Circuit Court probationer jailed

A convicted third offense drunk driver was jailed on a probation violation yesterday.  Mark D. Nalewyko, 53, of Elmwood Township, will serve 3 days for refusing to submit to a preliminary breath test as requested. 

Nalewyko pleaded guilty to felony Operating While Intoxicated after he was discovered by Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies passed out in his vehicle along Cherry Bend Road in October 2011.  His blood alcohol result was an incredible .44%.  He will continue to be on probation after his release on this violation.

D & D gets man 90 days

Anthony C. Palumbo, 57, was sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to being a Disorderly Person/ Drunk in 86th District Court.  Palumbo, of Traverse City, was arrested by Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies on September 5 after it was reported that he was riding a bike in Empire Township and was swerving in and out of traffic.  The caller thought Palumbo appeared intoxicated.  Deputies determined that he had an alcohol level of .18 at 9:20 am. 

Numerous calls had been received about Palumbo in the previous several weeks as being drunk in the roadway in the southern end of the County.  He was given credit for time served by the Court.

LCSO awaiting further information from FBI

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office does not have any updated information to release regarding the searches conducted last week in Leland Township and Suttons Bay.  Information will be released as the FBI provides and approves the dissemination of it.  Click here for a recent Fox News story 

Probationer lodged for failing daily PBT

A 21 year-old Lake Leelanau man was arrested Monday after he failed a daily court-ordered preliminary breath test.  David G. Pasch registered an alcohol content on two tests given Monday morning.  He was immediately taken into custody on suspicion of violating probation and a bench warrant was issued in District Court later in the day.

Pasch is being held without bond pending a Friday District Court appearance.  He was convicted of Operating While Intoxicated after a December 2012 crash.

Monday this and that

Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies were busy doing a myriad of duties Monday.  They included investigating a suicide and two hospice deaths, assisting an intoxicated pedestrian by getting him a ride and responding to a 911 hangup call and a commercial intrusion alarm.  There were 3 car/deer crashes, 4 animal control complaints, 9 traffic stops made and a hay bale and tree across the road that were removed.  Deputies also spoke to some wayward 5 year-olds that were throwing rocks at a house.  The homeowner didn't want to confront the rascals so he requested that deputies do so.  No arrests were made!

Hit and run driver sentenced 

Benjamin D. Craig



Benjamin D. Craig was sentenced to 365 days in jail for the hit and run accident that injured a 14 year-old Cedar youth.  Craig, 27, of Williamsburg, pleaded guilty to 2nd Offense Operating While Intoxicated, Attempted Fleeing and Eluding and misdemeanor Failing to Stop at the Scene of an Injury Accident.

The crash happened at 4:30 pm on September 1 on Pearl Street in Leland Township.  Craig was westbound and lost control of his 2001 Jeep Wrangler and hit the young man who was walking with friends along the opposite side of the road.  The boys friends were able to jump over a guardrail in time to avoid being struck.

Craig left the scene without checking on the victim, who was thrown onto the hood of the Jeep before falling off the other side of the vehicle.  The victim's injuries were not life-threatening.  Craig's vehicle crossed the road again after striking the boy and flattened a tire going into a ditch.

Craig travelled several miles on a flat tire before being located by a Leelanau County Sheriff's deputy.  He denied knowing he was in an accident or that he had struck a pedestrian.

The defendant was also sentenced to 730 days probation upon release, $1,550 fines & costs, and is eligible for Community Corrections program after 180 in jail.  After his release Craig must attend 4 Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings per week, must take twice daily breath tests and weekly drug screens.  Craig's Datamaster breath test result was .16% at 5:53 pm. on the afternoon of the incident.

More thefts from vehicles reported

Two more cars were entered by thieves over the weekend.  The two incidents were unrelated and occurred in Elmwood Township and Northport.  Nothing of significant value was stolen but change was taken.  These thefts were similar to those reported in Suttons Bay last week and on many other occasions.  Crooks that look for unlocked cars to steal from.

Something as simple as locking your vehicle could save you not just the loss of property but the loss of a sense of security when you property is entered and rummaged through.  Please lock all vehicles to deter these thieves.

Anyone with information regarding larcenies from motor vehicles is asked to call the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office at 256-8800 or the confidential tipline at 231-256-8696 or tips@co.leelanau.mi.us.

 Kayak reported missing

A woman fell overboard from her kayak Friday afternoon in Lake Michigan off of Glen Arbor.  She was able to make it to shore safely but her kayak floated away.

The missing kayak is purple and was last seen in Sleeping Bear Bay.  If it is located please call the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office at 231-256-8800.

Drunk driver arrested

Leelanau County deputies arrested a 54 year-old Suttons Bay woman after another motorist called Leelanau 911 about the woman's dangerous driving.  The call was received at 11:05 pm Saturday and the information given was that the suspected drunk driver ran another vehicle off of the road and also almost struck a mailbox. 

A deputy located the suspect vehicle on McAllister Road in Suttons Bay Township a short time later and observed erratic driving as well.  Contact was made with the driver who failed field sobriety tasks given.  She was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated and refused the Datamaster breath test offered.

A search warrant was obtained to secure a blood sample from the suspect for use in determining charges and ultimate prosecution.  The suspect was release on $3,000 personal recognizance bond and is being charged with Operating While Intoxicated 2nd Offense.

Weekend arrests

Shad J. Labonte, 36, of Elmwood Township, surrendered on Friday afternoon.  He was wanted for failing to appear for a pre-sentence investigation after pleading guilty to Attempted 4th degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, a one year misdemeanor.

Labonte was arrested in May and originally charged with Second Degree CSC, a 15 year-felony, involving sexual contact with a child under 13 in 2008.

Labonte was released on $5,000 personal recognizance bond after meeting with the District Court probation officer for a pre-sentence interview.


Allison M. Graham, 18, of Elmwood Township was arrested Sunday in Grand Traverse County for probation violation.  She violated terms of probation after pleading guilty to Use of Marihuana in October 2012.  Graham remains jailed pending a District Court review.


Gerald C. Neuman, 30, of Grand Rapids was arrested in Kent County on a bench warrant involving a 2009 conviction of Larceny Under $200.  Neuman was found in Contempt of Court for not paying fines and costs after his plea. 

He was transported to the Leelanau County jail and may be released when $762.60 is paid.

Search warrants executed by FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that it is currently executing the second of two Federal search warrants in Leelanau County.  The FBI is being assisted by the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office and up to 60 Federal agents are participating in the investigation here.

Two Federal sealed search warrants were obtained by the FBI recently in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Michigan.  No details of the investigation are allowed to be released due to the sealing of the warrants by a Federal magistrate.  That means that all details of the investigation and facts stated in the warrant may not be released until an indictment is issued, if ever.

Agents used hazardous material protective clothing while executing the warrants in Leland Township and Suttons Bay village beginning early Friday morning.  Once agents entered the areas to be searched, an assessment was made regarding potential lethality or health concerns to the neighborhood or public at large.  Although the investigation involves hazardous materials, it was determined that there is absolutely no danger to anyone near the search sites or anywhere in Leelanau County.

The investigation is not related to any other sites or investigations in Michigan but other searches are being conducted related to the case in other states.  It is unknown when the search and investigation here will end or whether anyone will be charged as a result.

Homecoming events involving Suttons Bay High School will proceed as planned.

Three arrested on warrants in 90 minutes

Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police and Leelanau County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 3 people on the GTB reservation Thursday.  Tribal Police arrested a 36 year-old man at his home on Ki-Dah-Keh-Mi-Kun at 5:27 pm for failing to register with Tribal authorities as a sex offender, a Tribal code violation.  He remains jailed pending a Tribal Court appearance.

Leelanau deputies and GTB police arrested Melonie C. Baker at her home in Peshawbestown an hour later.  She was wanted on a Circuit Court bench warrant for probation violation.  She is accused of numerous violations of the terms of her probation for Aggravated Stalking.  She is jailed without bond pending a Circuit Court appearance.

Another person who was present at Baker's home was arrested on an unrelated Grand Traverse County warrant.  Kenneth D. Sehl, 28, of Traverse City, was taken into custody by Tribal police on the misdemeanor warrant.  He was transported to the Leelanau County jail where he was picked up by Grand Traverse County authorities.

Reported drunk driver wasn't drunk but was suspended

Leelanau Dispatch received a call at 12:48 pm Wednesday reporting a driver with slurred speech and smelling of alcohol at an Elmwood Township business.  A vehicle description was given and the 36 year-old driver was located in the area by a Leelanau County Sheriff's deputy. 

The deputy determined that the driver was not intoxicated but after checking the man through the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), it was discovered that his driving privileges had been suspended.  The driver was cited for Driving Suspended and was given a court date to appear in District Court.

MSP arrests probation violator

Michigan State Police arrest a probation violator from Leelanau County Wednesday.  Simone C. Raphael, 33, of Grawn, was picked up in Grand Traverse County on two Leelanau County bench warrants.  Both warrants were for failing to appear at two collection hearings involving $1546 in unpaid fines and costs. 

The collection hearing were the result of convictions for Operating While Intoxicated and Operating While Intoxicated 2nd Offense in 2007 and 2008 respectively.  Raphael remains jailed until the $1546 is paid and the cases are closed.  Another District Court hearing will be scheduled if the fines remain unpaid.

Single car crash sends Cedar woman to the hospital

An afternoon accident on E Duck Lake Road in Suttons Bay Township caused minor injuries to the 83 year-old driver.  Lottie L. Kondal of Cedar was eastbound near N Marek Road at 3:44pm Tuesday.  Her car went onto the gravel shoulder and she over-corrected, causing her vehicle to cross the road and roll onto it's top.

She was transported to Munson Medical Center by Suttons Bay EMS with minor injuries.  Speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash and the driver was wearing a safety belt.

Two arrested on unrelated warrants

Michigan State Police arrested Kitchi-Kishap Shomin, 28, of Suttons Bay Tuesday.  He was wanted for a parole violation resulting from a 2009 Attempted Armed Robbery conviction.  He is being held in the Leelanau County jail pending release on the detainer.

Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police arrested Micha L. Castaneda Tuesday.  Castaneda, 29, of Suttons Bay, was picked up on a Friend of the Court bench warrant for unpaid child support.  She remains jailed with a $962 bond.

Lake Leelanau man arrested for domestic violence

A 19 year-old Leland Township man is in jail following his arrest for assaulting his children's mother.  The 19 year-old victim called Leelanau 911 from Suttons Bay at 8:22 pm Monday.  She told Leelanau County Sheriff's deputies that she and the suspect were arguing over use of a license plate in front of a Suttons Bay eating establishment.  The argument became physical and the woman suffered a cut lip.

Deputies arrested the suspect for Domestic Violence and he remains jailed pending a bond being set.  The injury did not require medical attention and alcohol was a factor in the incident.