4/22/11
- A local family is asking for the public’s help in locating their
son who has been missing since Tuesday. 16-year-old Colin Schwartz was
last seen in the Moon Shadows subdivision on the way to the bus stop,
which is near his home. Hamburg Township Police were contacted by his
family on Tuesday after they learned he did not show up for classes
at Pinckney High School. He had just gone through a breakup with his
girlfriend and it’s believed he ran away. His parents say he does
not have a history of alcohol or drug abuse and did not have
his cell phone with him. His mother Carolyn Bonifas tells WHMI
that they think he may be hiding out somewhere in the Pinckney-Hamburg
area, possibly a vacant lake home or something like that so they would
appreciate it if the public could do general area checks. Schwartz is
5-foot-11 and was last seen wearing a dark pea coat, a button-downed
white shirt and blue jeans. He was also carrying a guitar case. Anyone
with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Hamburg
Township Police Department at (810) 231-9391 or his parents at (734)
560-6110. (JM)
New Hamburg Twp. Program To Rid Homes of Outdated Drugs
4/3/11 -From WHMI 93.5 FM: Hamburg Township
Police are participating in a program to help people safely rid
their medicine cabinets of unused and unneeded drugs. Prescriptions
and over-the-counter medications no longer needed can be brought
to the township fire station at 3666 East M-36 from 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, for Drug Take Back Day.
That’s a national effort spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement
Administration. All medication will be deposited in collection
boxes and safely and properly destroyed by police. For additional
information contact Hamburg Township Police Department Lt.
Brian DeNoyer at 810-231-9391. According to DeNoyer, the service is
free and anonymous.(TT)
Hamburg Township Police have made a second arrest in the
Oct. 4 armed robbery that occurred at the Kroger store at 8700
Chilson Commons Circle. Chris Atkins, 20, of Jackson was apprehended
by police in Detroit at about 2 a.m. Friday and returned to Hamburg
Township for questioning.
The Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office authorized armed robbery and arrest warrants for Atkins late Wednesday. He is now in the Livingston County Jail and is expected to be arraigned today. Atkins and Brittany Marie Chacon, 20, of Pinckney are connected with an incident involving a 62-year-old woman who was robbed in the store’s parking lot around 1 p.m. on Oct. 4 as she was getting out of her two-door white 1999 Pontiac Grand-Am.
Christopher Roy Atkins
Chacon was arrested by police on Oct. 9 in Hamburg Township. She
was charged with two counts of Armed Robbery and two counts of Carjacking.
She is being held in the Livingston County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
”It’s unusual for this kind of crime to happen here
and I know the victim and our residents can rest a little easier
knowing that these two are now in jail,” said Police Chief
Steve Luciano. “This is the kind of criminal act we see from
people who are addicted to drugs and I’m concerned about the
danger that goes along with it.”
For more information, contact Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve
Luciano at 810-231-9391.
Hamburg Township
Police are asking for the public's help in locating two people who may
have information about the armed robbery that occurred at the Kroger
store in Chilson Commons on Monday afternoon.
Chris Atkins from Jackson and Brittney Chacon from Pinckney are
being sought for questioning by police, said Police Chief Steve Luciano.
“We believe they may have been in the area near the time
the robbery occurred and we want to know if they have information
about what happened," Luciano said.
Atkins and Chacon have been seen in the area
recently living in a tent in a field about a mile from the Kroger
store.
“I want to be clear that these people have not been charged
with any crime," Luciano said. "We’re still in
the fact-finding stage of the investigation. However, it is at
the point where the logical next step is to locate these people
and we need the public’s help.”
The robbery occurred just after 1:00 p.m.
Monday, at the Kroger store, 8700 Chilson Commons Circle. A white
man and white female described as being in their early 20s held
a knife to a 62-year-old woman and robbed her of her purse. The
two left in the woman’s
white, two-door 1999 Pontiac Grand-Am. Police have not yet located
the stolen car.
Hamburg Township Police are offering a $1,000 reward for information
leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this
crime.
For additional information or questions contact
Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano 810-231-9391.
Hamburg Township Police officers
were called to the Kroger store at 8700 Chilson Commons Circle
Monday to investigate an armed robbery.
A 62-year-old woman was robbed in the
store’s parking
lot at 1:11 p.m. as she was getting out of her white 1999 Pontiac
Grand-Am. A white male and white female, described as being
in their early 20s, forced the woman against her car and held
a knife to her throat. They took the woman’s purse
and her car.
Christopher Roy Atkins
Brittney Marie Chacon
ATTEMPTTOLOCATE Hamburg Township Police
1999 Pontiac Grand-AM White, 2 door MI Plate
BAS 3426
VIN 1G2NE12TXXM787499
*Passenger Side Rear Window - Covered
with tape
Vehicle stolen during armed robbery on 10-4-2010 @ Kroger Store
in Hamburg Township.
1 W/M & 1 W/F late teens or early 20s armed with knives. Sixty-two
year old victim’s purse and identification were stolen
with vehicle. Contact Hamburg Township Police 810-231-9391.
Several witnesses in
the parking lot came to the aid the elderly woman when they saw her
being robbed. One witness quickly dialed 911 as the two robbers
left in the victim’s car.
The victim suffered
a minor cut to her neck. She was visibly shaken after the robbery
but did not want medical treatment.
The Hamburg Township Police Department
is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and
conviction of the robbers.
Anyone with information should contact
Officer Megan Paul at 810-231-9391.
For more information, contact
Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano at 810-231-9391.
$1,000 Reward Offered: Police Seeking
Carjackers
Monday, October
4, 2010 - From the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus
Hamburg Township police are looking
for a man and woman who carjacked a 62-year-old Pinckney-area woman
who was going to shop at Kroger this afternoon.
Police Chief Steve Luciano said the woman suffered a minor cut
to her neck when the carjackers held a knife to her throat, but
she did not seek medical treatment.
The incident
occurred around 1:11 p.m. as the woman was getting out of her
white 1999 Pontiac Grand Am at the store’s parking
lot at 8700 Chilson Commons Circle.
A white male and white female described as being in their early
20s forced the woman against her car and held a knife to her throat,
police said in a press release.
They took
the woman’s
purse and her car, Luciano said.
Several
witnesses in the parking lot assisted the woman and one witness
quickly dialed 911 as the two robbers fled on M-36 in the victim’s
car.
Officers
from multiple jurisdiction immediately responded from M-36 and
D-19, but they were unable to immediately locate the victim’s
car.
Hamburg Township Police Department is offering
a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction
of the robbers.
September 14,
2010: Prescription Drug Take-Back Day - Saturday, September
25, 2010
Hamburg Township Police are participating in a nationwide
program to help people safely rid their medicine cabinets of
unused and unneeded drugs.
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are no longer
needed or wanted can be brought to Hamburg
Township Fire Station No. 11, 3666 E. M-36, from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 during the national Prescription
Drug Take-Back Day, an
effort spearheaded by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
The
service is free and anonymous. All
medications will be placed in collection boxes and safely
and properly destroyed by police officers.
"
Leaving unused powerful drugs in your medicine cabinet is an
invitation for trouble that people don’t want or need,"
said Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano.
The National Institutes of Health estimate that nearly 20 percent
of people in the United States have used prescription drugs
for non-medical reasons. Some of these drugs can become addictive,
especially when used improperly or without a prescription,
Luciano said. They include narcotics like OxyContin and Vicodin,
sedatives and tranquilizers like Xanax and Valium and stimulants
like Dexedrine, Adderall and Ritalin.
“I think people in this community are recognizing how serious we are
about the growing problem of addictive drugs,” Luciano said. “Turning
in their unused prescription drugs is just one way they can take an active
roll in doing something to help.”
For additional information or questions contact Hamburg Township
Police Chief Steve Luciano 810-231-9391.
September 7,
2010: Police, Schools Team To Combat Drug Use
Hamburg Township Police officers
and Pinckney Community Schools teachers and staff sent themselves
to summer school this year to learn ways to identify and confront
substance abuse.
As part of an on-going joint effort, officers and school staff
attended special drug intervention and education programs this
summer. The classes were designed to help them effectively deal
with the growing abuse of prescription drugs and heroin in hopes
of halting the recent spate of drug overdose deaths in their
area.
"We all take this situation very seriously
and are glad to be working together to meet this thing head
on," said
Police Chief Steve Luciano. "Opiate use is a growing national
problem and we can’t afford to sit back and wait for
a grant or special program to be developed before we act."
The drug overdose deaths of two Pinckney Community High School
graduates in recent months have impacted staff in a personal
way and united teachers and administrators in a desire to prevent
any further tragedies, said Principal Jim Darga.
"It's encouraging to see the different community groups
and agencies, from law enforcement to the court system an to
the school district, joining forces to combat this problem," Darga
said. "This type of combined effort gives us hope that
we can make a difference."
Thursday, July
22, 2010: Missing Runaway William "Billy" Dunn
William "Billy" Dunn
Hamburg
Townshi Police released a News Release regarding the
disappearance of William "Billy"
Dunn today. View
pdf of the release here.
Hamburg Township Police are asking for
the community's help in locating a missing teenager who ran
from his mother’s
van at the Manly Bennett Memorial Park on Merrill Road on Tuesday.
William “Billy” Dunn,
13, is
small for his age at 4 foot 4 inches tall and approximately
79 pounds. He has blond hair and blue eyes and was last seen
wearing a light yellow T-shirt and tan shorts that have a faded
pattern.
“We’ve put flyers in all the businesses and have
had officers searching the area in and around the park, but
it can be hard to find someone who doesn’t want to be
found,” said Police Chief Steve Luciano. “We’re
just hoping someone who knows where he is will call so we can
make sure he is OK. His family is very concerned about him.”
Anyone who has seen Billy or may know of his whereabouts
should contact Hamburg police at 810-231-9391 or call 911.
Wednesday, July
21, 2010:
Missing Child - William "Billy"
Dunn
Hamburg Township Police are
searching for a missing child, William "Billy" Dunn, who is
13 years old (small for age), 4'4" tall, 79 lbs, blond hair/blue
eyes and last seen wearing light yellow t-shirt and tan shorts
that have a very faded pattern. Dunn went
missing on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 about 4:00 p.m. when he ran away from the Merrill
Road/Bennett Field area in Hamburg Township. If you know of
his whereabouts, please contact Hamburg Township Police at
810-231-9391 or call 9-1-1. View
printable flyer.
Wednesday, July
7, 2010:
Drowning Victim's Body Recovered
Video Clip courtesy of Livingston
County Daily Press & Argus (starts at 22 seconds)
Tuesday, July
6, 2010:
Search Continutes For Possible
Drowning Victim
Local authorities coninue
to search for a man who is missing and presumed drowned in
Hamburg Township's Zukey Lake.
Police have identified the
man as 58-year-old Dennis Regal of Hamburg Township.
Regal went missing around
5:30 p.m. Monday after helping his son and a friend, both 15
years old, who were swimming and had drifted away from the
family's pontoon boat in about 35 feet of water, according
to Hamburg Township Police Chief Stev e Luciano. The boys lost
sight of him just after he got them both back to the boat,
Luciano said.
The deep, murky water and
the fact that there were no witnesses are making the search
difficult, Luciano said.
Divers fromLivingston County
Sheriff's Department, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department
and Hartland, Green Oak and Howell fire departments are assisting
in the search.
Alcohol does not appear to
be a factor in the accident, Luciano said. There were life
jackets on the boat, although none were being used, he said.
"It's hard to resist the natural
instinct to jump in and try to help someone, especially if
it's one of your kids," Luciano said. "Sadly, it's not uncommon
for the rescurer to become the victim. Boaters and swimmers
should always try to remember the best way to h elp someone
in trouble in the water is to thrown the person something that
floats, or reach them with a rope or pole."
For additional information,
call Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano at 810-231-9391.
Monday,
July 5, 2010: Missing Swimmer/Possible Drawing Search
Video Clip of Interview with courtesy of Livingston County
Daily Press & Argus (video clip interview begins at the 22 second
mark)
Images from Livingston County Daily Press & Argus - Dive Search
The 4th of July Holiday weekend
ended in tragedy fora Whitmore Lake family. A Whjitmore Lake
man is missing and presumed drowned in Zukey Lake Monday afternoon.
The Hamburg Township Police Department received the4 emergency
dispatch of a possible drowning at 5:25 p.m.
The 58 year old man was boating
with his 16 year old son and another 16 year old friend of
the family. The three were swimming across Zukey Lake
in Huron River Chain. The boat drifted away from the boys and
one of them called for help. The Whitmore Lake man swam to
the boys and helped them back to the boat. The boys lost sight
of him just after he got them both back to the boat.
The missing swimmer was last
seen in an area of Zukey Lake that is 35 feet deep. Divers
from Livingston County Sheriff's Department, Washtenaw County
Sheriff's Department, Hartland Fire,. Green Oak Fire and Howell
Fire assisted in the search.
The search for the missing
swimmer will resume on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.
For additional information
or questions contact Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano
at 810-231-9391.
Saturday,
June 20, 2010: Police Stepping Up Boating Safety Enforcement
Police are stepping up boating
safety enforcement in Hamburg Township and Livingston County
this summer.
Read
the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus article by clicking
here.
View a video clip of Hamburg
TownshipOfficer
Tony Wallace discussing boating safety enforcement
(starts after the 22 second advertisement):
.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010:
Seniors Be Careful – Parents Beware:
The Hamburg Township Police Department and Pinckney Coalition
to Reduce Underage Drinking are joining together to remind
parents to be extra diligent in monitoring high school graduation
activities over the next several weeks.
High school graduations took place this past week in most
area schools, and graduates are busy celebrating by making
their way to open house parties and late night outings. While
this is a time for celebration, we want teens to be safe and
healthy.
“It’s an exciting time of year, but it can also
be a very dangerous time of year for high school graduates,” said
Police Chief Steve Luciano. “I’ve seen the summer
season start with joy and quickly end in tragedy too many times,
and I just want parents to take an extra few minutes to talk
to their kids about driving and celebrating safely.”
The Pinckney Coalition has held several meetings in recent
weeks to inform parents and teens about the dangers of alcohol
and illicit drugs. Students from Pinckney High School have
taken an active roll in getting students to sign a contract
that declares their willingness to stay alcohol and drug free.
It is illegal for anyone under age 21 to drink alcohol. Providing
alcohol to minors is also illegal. As the signs in the yards
around this community say, “Parents Who Host, Lose the
Most. Don’t be a party to teenage drinking. It’s
against the law.”
Tips for Parents:
Know
where kids are going and who they are with.
Set
and enforce curfew times.
Take
the time to talk with other parents of the teens
who are with yours.
Restrict
the # of passengers who ride with your child or who
your child rides with.
Enforce
safe driving rules for seat belts, speed and
distracted driving.
Stress
zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs.
For additional information or questions contact Hamburg Township
Police Chief Steve Luciano 810-231-9391.
Thursday, June 3, 2010:
Officers & Citizen Recognized for Armed Robbery
Arrest
The Hamburg Township Police Department has presented awards
to a citizen and two police officers in recognition for their
efforts in the arrest and prosecution of an armed robbery suspect.
Louie Schraffenberger was working at the Marathon Gas Station,
7620 E. M-36 on Jan. 9 this year when a masked man came in
to rob him. Schraffenberger fought with the robber by
throwing canned goods at him and ultimately pulling the mask
from his face in an attempt to keep him from the cash drawer. The
robber ran from the station as Schraffenberger called 911 to
report the robbery.
Officer Megan Paul met with Schraffenberger and drew a composite
sketch of the robber. The sketch was posted in the media
and quickly brought tips about the identity of the man.
Officer Clint Pace then tracked the tips and identified the
robber as John Tynan. Tynan and his brother,
Thomas,
were subsequently arrested and charged with not only this armed
robbery but with another in Oakland County.
Schraffenberger was awarded the Hamburg Township Police Department’s Civilian
Citation, which is given to citizens whose actions
result in the prevention or solution of a serious crime, the
apprehension of a dangerous criminal or other meritorious action,
such assistance to an officer with disregard for his or her
personal safety.
Officers Paul and Pace were awarded the department’s
Certificate of Merit, which goes to officers for outstanding
performance of duty under unusual or difficult conditions.
“This is a great example of officers and citizens working
together to apprehend a dangerous criminal; said Chief
Steve Luciano. “I think John Tynan got more than he bargained
for when he tried to rob Louie that night.”
For additional information or questions contact Hamburg Township
Police Chief Steve Luciano 810-231-9391.
NOTE: PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH LOUIE SCHRAFFENBERGER CAN BE
ARRANGED BY CALLING HAMBURG TOWNSHIP POLICE CHIEF STEVE LUCIANO
AT 810-231-9391.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010:
Hamburg Township Police participated
in a community forum against drug and heroin overdose held
at the Shalom Lutheran Church on M-36 in Pinckney.
Police Officer Brian
Medbury retired after
28 years of service to Hamburg Township. Here is the video clip
from the March 16, 2010 Township Board Meeting with the award
ceremony.
Hamburg
Township police are investigating the death of a
prominent businessman found dead in his vehicle in
the parking lot of his business.
Chief
Steve Luciano said family members reported Todd LaButte,
46, missing about 8:30 a.m. His body was found about
8:50 a.m. in his black sport utility vehicle in the
parking lot of his business, Todd’s Services
on M-36.
Police recovered a handgun at the
scene.
“The case is under investigation
and all possibilities are being considered, including
the possibility his injuries were self-inflicted,” Luciano
said.
Todd’s Services was founded
29 years ago by the two LaButte brothers. The pair
started with a lawn-mowing business and grew it into
a successful landscaping company with 250 employees
during its peak season.
4/13/10
- Hamburg Township Police say they recovered two dead bodies
this morning that began as separate missing person investigations.
Police Chief Steve Luciano tells WHMI that the first body was
of a 46 year old Hamburg Township resident found in his truck
parked in the back parking lot at Todd’s Services landscaping
business along M-36. A gun was recovered and Luciano says they’re
investigating all possibilities, including that the death was
self-inflicted. He says the second body was of a 79 year old
township resident who was found deceased in the utility room
of an apartment complex located along East M-36 near Chilson
Road. Luciano says a gun was also recovered at that scene and
the investigation is also examining the possibility of a suicide.
However, he stresses that the two cases are absolutely unrelated.
The 79 year old was said to have been dealing with an undisclosed
medical condition. Both bodies will be autopsied tomorrow at
Sparrow Hospital in Lansing to determine an exact cause of
death. (JK)
Hamburg Township Police
News Media Alert
October 12, 2009
Press Conference
The Hamburg Township Police Department, Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit Field Division, and
Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team (LAWNET)
will host a joint press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday,
Oct. 13 in the meeting room at the Hamburg Township
Hall, 10405 Merrill Road, Hamburg, Mich.
Law enforcement officials will announce the arrest
of approximately 50 persons involved in the trafficking of heroin
and other dangerous drugs in Livingston County and southeastern
Michigan.
Additional details to be released at press conference. Discs
containing digital photos of those arrested will also be available.
For additional information or questions, contact
Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano at 810-231-9391 or sluciano@hamburg.mi.us.
Incident # I7-09-0122 Narcotics Investigation
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
WHMI 93.5 FM - 5/20/09 - A Hamburg Township Police
officer was given a distinctive honor Tuesday night. Officer Brian
Medbury (at right in picture with Chief Steve Luciano at left) was
recognized for 25 years of service to the department, the first officer
within the department’s 30 year history to achieve that. Sgt.
Gary Harpe nominated Medbury calling him a “fixture” in
the community and added that his “dedication is an honor to our
department and community.” Officer Medbury, who was presented
with a mantle clock commemorating the event, said he plans to serve
another five years with the department. (JK)
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.
4/13/10
- Hamburg Township Police say they recovered two dead bodies
this morning that began as separate missing person investigations.
Police Chief Steve Luciano tells WHMI that the first body was
of a 46 year old Hamburg Township resident found in his truck
parked in the back parking lot at Todd’s Services landscaping
business along M-36. A gun was recovered and Luciano says they’re
investigating all possibilities, including that the death was
self-inflicted. He says the second body was of a 79 year old
township resident who was found deceased in the utility room
of an apartment complex located along East M-36 near Chilson
Road. Luciano says a gun was also recovered at that scene and
the investigation is also examining the possibility of a suicide.
However, he stresses that the two cases are absolutely unrelated.
The 79 year old was said to have been dealing with an undisclosed
medical condition. Both bodies will be autopsied tomorrow at
Sparrow Hospital in Lansing to determine an exact cause of
death. (JK) 
