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.