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Cars Stolen from Kalamazoo Dealership, 2 Arrested

Posted at 11:23 PM, Apr 24, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-24 23:23:33-04

kzoopolicestockKALAMAZOO, Mich (April 24, 2014) – Public Safety Officers in Kalamazoo have arrested two suspects tied to an auto theft investigation that started last Thursday.

Detectives were called to a dealership on Stadium Drive on April 17 after keys to 15 new vehicles were stolen, along with three vehicles from the lot.  Two of the vehicles that were taken were recovered by Public Safety Officers just hours after the break-in and thefts were first reported.

One week later, around noon on April 24, Public Safety Officer Matt Slenk was on road patrol near Portage Road and Pitcher Street when he spotted a vehicle matching the description of the third stolen vehicle.  Officer Slenk attempted to make a traffic stop, but the driver took off at a high rate of speed.

Officer Slenk later witnessed two men running from the vehicle after they parked it behind a building in the 500 block of East Walnut Street.  Officer Slenk was able to take one of the suspects into custody after a short foot pursuit.

Public Safety Officer Steve Heyduck and his K-9 partner “Ike” were called to the scene to track the second suspect, who was located at a nearby building and taken into custody without incident.

Officers found paperwork addressed to one of the suspects that was taken into custody inside the vehicle, along with marijuana.

Both suspects are in their 20’s and from the Kalamazoo area.  Both face several charges.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division continue to investigate these thefts, and anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 269-337-8994 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.