9/10/2009 - Heroin Use Becoming Epidemic

Heroin use is on the rise and Hamburg Township Police are concerned abou the rapidly increasing incidents of possession and ue of the drug.

"For years, we rarely saw heroin in the township," said Hamburg Township Police Sgt. Pat Debottis. "It's not just an inner city problem anymore, we're finding it in our neighborhoods and I'm very concerned."

Unlike the 1960s and '70s when it was typically only taken by hardcore users, heroin today is cheaper and more readily available and quickly becoming the drug of choice among those who use illegal substances.

Hamburg Township began seeing an increase in heroin investigation sin 2007 with six reported overdoses. The increase continued in 2008, resulting in two heroin overdose deaths. The trend appears to be continuing in 2009 with two more heroin overdose deaths this year to date. Similar patterns emerged through the area, so law enforcement leaders gained the support of the Drug Enforcement Administration Detroit Field Division which opened a "Priority Target Case" in Livingston County. The cooperative investigation includes investigators from the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Of particular concern is the increasing use of the drug by teenagers and youn adults. "It's impossible to know the purity of street heroin, which dramatically increases the danger of overdose," said Debottis. Heroin is highly addictive and expensive. Habitual users are known to lie, cheat and steal from anyone necessary to get money they need to buy the drug, Debottis said.

Heroin is an off-white powder that can be somewhat brownish in color. It's typically found wrapped in folded paper packages called bindles.

Parents, teachers and others should be aware of the signs of heroin use, such as a change in appearance and personality, association with a different group of friends and the constant need for money. That need for money causes addicts to commit crimes against family, friends or other easy targets.

"You can't believe the shock and despair on a parent's face when you tell them their kid has overdosed on heroin. The return of heroin is real, it's dangerous, and everyone needs to be aware of it," said Police Chief Steve Luciano.

For additional information or questions regarding this news release, contact Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano. 810-231-9391.

09/07/2009 - Armed Robbery

On Sunday, September 6th 2009 at 11:20 p.m. Hamburg township officers were sent to the Marathon Gas Station at 7620 East M-36. The store Clerk was doing inventory behind the counter when a "petite" female came in and pointed a black semiautomatic handgun at him and demanded money. The clerk began filling a bag that was provided to him by the robber with cash from the register. As the bag was being filled the robber began to help herself to cartons of cigarettes.

After taking the money and merchandise the robber fled on foot. She is described as 5'0" to 5'2" tall, and weighing 100 to 110 pounds. She was wearing black pants and hooded sweatshirt with a tan baseball cap. She had a black mask covering the lower portion of her face and was wearing white latex gloves on her hands. A Livingston County K-9 officer tracked the suspect to Hall Road near Forest Creek Court where the scent was lost.

The Hamburg Township Police are offering a $500.00 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for this crime. Anyone having information about the crime can contact Officer Alysha Garbacik at 810-231-1000 Ext. 459.

Media questions or inquiries regarding this news release may contact Hamburg Township Police Sergeant Gary Harpe at 810-231-9391.

07/30/2009 - Possible Drowning

On Thursday, July 30t, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. Hamburg Township Police Department and Hamburg Township Fire Department were called to Baseview Drive, located on Base Line Lake, to investigate a possible drowning.  A 54 year old man and his 24 year old son were fishing from a canoe.  The canoe overturned and began to capsize.  The father was able to hold onto the canoe for safety.  His 24 year old son went under the water and did not surface.

The Livingston County Dive Team was activiated and had rescue divers in the water immediately upon their arrival. The victim, Andrew Gravitt from Westland, was located in a depthy of approximately fifteen feet of water.  He was removed the water at 5:10 p.m. at which time recessitation efforts began.  The victim was transported to the University of Michigan Hospital by Survival Flight and is listed in critical condition at this time.

For additional information or questions contact the Hamburg Township Fire Chief Doug Berry at (734) 878-9513 or Hamburg Township Police Sergeant Gary Harpe at (810) 231-9391.

Hamburg Police Officer Recognized For 25 Years Of Service

News Release: May 7, 2009 - Drunk Driver Is Lucky To Be Alive

A 22 year old man from Dexter, Michgian narrowly escaped death Wednesday evening when he crashed the 1996 Mercury Sable he was driving into a tree. The Hamburg Township Police Department was sent to Strawberry Lake Road near East Lake Drive at 8:10 p.m. when neighbors called 911. Officers followed skid marks over 300 feet off the road and found the car wrapped around a tree with the driver staggering next to his car. Witnesses told police they saw the car traveling at over 100 mph before the crash.

The 22 year old driver was transported to St. Joseph Ann Arbor Hospital by Livingston County Ambulance where he is in stable condition. "When I saw the damage I could not believe anyone survived," said Officer Tony Wallace. "This is one of the most violent crashes I've ever seen, and I wonder if th is kid realizes how lucky he is to be alive."

"We always see an increase in alcohol related accidents involving young people at this time of year," said Hamburg Township Chief Steve Luciano. "Parents need to talk to their kids about alcohol and make sure they don't drink and drive or ride with anyone who does."

Preliminary indications are that the driver's blood alcohol level was over three times the legal limit. Hamburg Township Police are pursuing charges for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, reckless driving, and open alcohol in a motor vehicle.

MEDIA NOTE: Digital images of the crash will be made available by e-mail to media who make a request to Carolyn Sanchez by email - csanchez@hamburg.mi.us.

For additional information regarding this news release contact Chief Steve Luciano or Sgt. Gary Harpe @ 810-231-9391.

News Release: April 15, 2009 - Suspect Caught In Home Invasion:

Within the past few weeks Hamburg Township and other surrounding areas have had multiple day time Home Invasions. On April 8, 2009 shortly after noon Officer Brandon Bullock received a call of an attempted break in that had just occurred on Stsrawberry Lake Road in Hamburg Township.

Once arriving at the home Officer Bullock spoke with the homeowner. The homeowner told the officer that as he walked from the downstairs to the front of his home he saw a man at his front door with a crow bar in his hands trying to brak i n. Once the intruder saw the homeowner he fled. The homeowner saw the intruder flee in a light colored Ford car. the homeowner also said that there was a second white male involved that was in the car. As the homeowner and Officer Bullock were talking the homeowner said that the same man came to his home approximately a week ago. During that time the man knocked at the door. The homeowner answered the door. The man asked the homeowner if he was selling a bass guitar on Craig's List. The homeowner told the man he did not have anything for sale on Craig's List. The man at that point left.

On 4-13-2009 a suspect was developed with cooperation from Green Oak Police Department, Washtenaw County Sheriff and the Michigan State Police. After developing the information a photo lineup was developed. The victim of the Home Invasion then came into the Hamburg Township Police Department and identified the man from the photo line up. Michigan State Police and Washtenaw County Sheriff Departments were able to find the man and make an arrest on 4-13-2009. On 4-15-2009 charges were issued for Attempted Home Invasion, Possession of Burglary Tools and Habitual Fourth on the intruder.

At this time anyone with information on any other home invasions or the second suspect are asked to contact Officer Brad Neff at Hamburg Township Police Department at 810-231-1000 Ext. 308.

For additional information or questions contact Hamburg Township Sergeant James Sanderson @ 734-341-3302.

INCIDENT #2009-0576 - PRESS RELEASE - MARCH 1, 2009 - Possible Drowning

On Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 4:53 a.m., Hamburg Township police officers were called to the Hillpoint Drive boat launch, located on Ore Lake, to investigate a possible drowning. A witness reported they saw an all-terrain vehicle break through the ice.

When officers arrived they discovered the vehicle tire tracks leading to a large hole in the ice. Under their weight the ice began to crack and give way. All responding emergency personnel were forced to retreat to the shoreline for their safety.

The Livingston County Dive Team and Hamburg Township Fire Department were activated and had resuce divers in the water immediately upon their arrival. The viction, Joseph Kratz (32 year old male), was located in a depth of approixmately six to eight feet of water. He was removed from the water at 6:02 a.m., at which time ressucitation efforts began. The victim was transported to the University of Michgian Hospital and is listed in critical condition at this time.

For additional information or questions contact Hamburg Township Fire Chief Doug Berry at (734) 878-9513 or Hamburg Township Police Sergeant Gary Harpe at 810-231-9391.

INCIDENT #07-003348 Attempted Abduction: PRESS RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2007: GIRLS LIED ABOUT ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION

The two teenage girls who reported an attempted abduction have now admitted they fabricated the story. The 15 year old girls called Hamburg Township Police on Saturday evening saying that a man tried to pull them into a car when they were walking along Merrill Road. The girls gae a detailed description of a suspect and described his features to a police composite artist.

"We realized what the girls told us was unusual because it was not typical of what we know about abductions," said Police Chief Steve Luciano. "This isn't the kind of thing you like to question, especially when it involves a potential risk to the safety of kids in our community."

Hamburg Township Officers located surveillance video that recorded traffic in the area the girls reported seeing the suspect's car. The girls were re-interviewed after officers discovered the video failed to substantiate what they had told the officers. They lied about the abduction because they had been somewhere they weren't supposed to be.

The Hamburg Township Police Department will forward the case to the Livingston County Prosecutor's Office for their review of charges for filing a false police report which is a felony crime. For questions concerning this news release, contact Chief Steve Luciano at 810-231-9391.

INCIDENT #07-1221: PRESS RELEASE: APRIL 15, 2007: MISSING PERSON - POSSIBLE DROWNING INCIDENT

On Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 4:41 p.m., the Hamburg Police Officers were dispatched to the North side of Ore Lake to investigate a reported missing person & possible drowning of a 29 yr old white male.

The man is described as 5'11" 180 lbs wearing blue jeans and a dark blue sweat shirt. The man was also wearing a hat with a light affixed to the brim. The man was last seen on Saturday April 14th at 8:30 p.m. paddling an orange kayak on the North side of Ore Lake.

The man is an out of State contract worker working in the Lansing area. He was not familiar with Ore Lake or the lake's nuances. The man told his friends that he was a skilled kayak operator; however, he was not wearing a PFD (personal floatation device) at the time of his disappearance. (It is recommended that everyone wear a PFD at all times on the water regardless of personal experience or confidence.)

In cooperation with the Hamburg Township Police Officers, the Livingston County Sheriff Dept., Hamburg Township Fire Department, Howell Area Fire Department, Green Oak Township Fire Department, Metro Parks Police and the University of Michigan Hospital Survival Flight helicopter are all assisting in the search.

For additional information or questions, contact Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano or Lieutenant Brian DeNoyer at 810-231-9391.

HAMBURG TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
10409 Merrill Road
P.O. Box 157
Hamburg, Michigan 48139
Phone: 810-231-9391
Fax: 810-231-9401

STAFF:

Steve Luciano Chief of Police E-mail: sluciano@hamburg.mi.us

Full-Time Officers
To send an e-mail, click on the officer's name:

Lieutenant Brian Denoyer
Sergeant Patrick DeBottis
Sergeant James Sanderson
Officer Brian Medbury
Officer Brandon Bullock
Officer Gary Harpe
Officer Megan Paul
Officer Michael Krause
Officer Clint Pace
Officer Anthony Wallace
Officer Alysha Garbacik

Reserve Officers:

Officer Jonathan Black

Clerical/Dispatcher:

Carolyn Rizzo, Administrative Assistant