Thursday, October 25, 2012

10252012 - Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit - Channel 7 Investigation

WXYZ / Channel 7, Detroit [reporter Scott Lewis] investigation of Detroit Firefighter Mike Risher's violence against women:

2005: A woman said she and Risher were arguing in the back seat of a minivan when Risher head-butted her. When she fought back, she said that Risher pinned her down and choked her.

  2006: Risher gets in a bar fight and assaults a woman. The assault is caught on the bar's video cam.

  2006: When police respond to Risher's assault of the woman, Risher flashes his badge and claims to the responding police that he is the victim.The police arrest the woman that Risher is seen attacking on the bar's video.

  2006: Victim of Risher's attack in the bar filed a lawsuit against Risher. She is awarded $15,000. But Risher only pays a small portion of the suit.

  March 12, 2008: Risher's ex-wife had filed a domestic violence assault report with the police department. Charges were never filed against Risher.

  Unknown Date: Risher's ex-wife had filed a domestic violence assault report with the police department. Charges were never filed against Risher.

  September 18, 2009: Risher's ex-wife had filed a domestic violence assault report with the police department. Charges were never filed against Risher.

  March 08, 2011: Risher assaulted Jennifer Panduren at a bar, when she and her friend Samantha Strozynski turned down his advances. Assault was caught on a security cam. Police refuse to review secuirty cam tape. Police refuse to file charges against Risher.

  March 08, 2011: Risher assaulted Samantha Strozynski at a bar, when she and her friend Jennifer Panduren turned down his advances. Assault was caught on a security cam. Police refuse to review secuirty cam tape. Police refuse to file charges against Risher.

  March 08, 2011: Risher arrested for disorderly conduct for assaulting Panduren and Strozynski. Charges were later dismissed.

  March 08, 2011: Panduren [assaulted by Risher] was arrested for disorderly conduct. Charges were later dismissed.

  Summer 2011: Risher attacked a woman when he accused her of spilling his drink. Risher picked her up by her neck and slammed her onto a boat deck after he accused her of spilling his drink.




Remember: Michigan state officials did not investigate Detroit Firefighter Mike Risher. The police departments refused to investigate Firefighter Mike Risher's assaults on women; and the Detroit Fire Department has never so much as reprimanded Risher.

This investigation was done by WXYZ News reporter Scott Lewis. He was the only one who would listen to Firefighter Mike Risher's victims and expose what everyone else was allowing Risher to get away with.



New, disturbing information on off-duty firefighter Mike Risher who attacked two women
Posted: 11/15/2012
WXYZ News, Detroit
By: Scott Lewis
http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/women-say-firefighter-used-badge-to-get-out-of-trouble7-action-news-investigation-turns-the-tide




(WXYZ) - The 7 Action News Investigators have uncovered new, disturbing information about the off-duty Detroit firefighter who attacked two women; this may not be his first offense of this kind.

Police are now looking into the case of off-duty firefighter Mike Risher attacking two women; Jennifer Panduren and Samantha Strozynski outside a bar in 2001. A high-profile attorney has also stepped in.

Meanwhile, two additional women told 7 Action News they were previously attacked by Risher.

It was Paczi Day 2011 when Panduren and Strozynski were arguing with Risher outside the Mars Bar in Hamtramck. Witnesses said Risher punched both in the face and knocked them to the pavement.

"I said to him, I was like, 'Oh, you're big, you're gonna punch a girl.’ And, yeah, I ate my words I guess you can say because he definitely did," Jennifer Panduren said.

Despite presenting security video to police, Strozynski says "Nobody would ever let us make a police report.”

Both women say they believe Risher received a free pass from police because he works as a firefighter.

An independent witness said police told him nothing much would come of the incident because Risher was a Detroit firefighter.

But everything changed after the 7 Action News Investigators exposed this incident three weeks ago.

After our investigation aired, Hamtramck Police brought in Panduren and Strozynski for interviews. They also took statements from two witnesses and are retrieving the women's medical records to document their injuries.

Hamtramck police Chief Maxwell Garbarino confirmed detectives are preparing a warrant request for the Wayne County prosecutor, seeking charges against the Risher. This comes a year and half after the incident happened.

High-powered attorney Ven Johnson has also offered to help Panduren and Strozynski. Johnson said although there is likely little or no money in it, he is preparing to file a civil lawsuit against Risher.

"No one's above the law. No one's above the law,” Johnson told Scott Lewis. “And it doesn't matter what you do for a living or who you work for, or how much money you make, you can't punch other people in the face and get away with it unprovoked. And that's exactly what we think Mr. Risher did."

Meanwhile, two additional women have come forward claiming Risher once attacked them as well.

One woman provided 7 Action News with pictures showing a scrape on her neck. She said the injury occurred last summer when Risher picked her up by her neck and slammed her onto a boat deck after he accused her of spilling his drink. An eyewitness backed up her story.

A second woman said Risher assaulted her in 2005. She said she and Risher were arguing in the back seat of a minivan when Risher head-butted her. When she fought back, she said that Risher pinned her down and choked her. That incident was also confirmed by a witness.

As we previously reported Risher and his then girlfriend were also sued over a bar fight in 2006 and ordered to pay the victims $15,000.

The lawsuit said that "Risher appears to be suffering from the effects of too many steroids. He has a larger than usual physic and a violent temper which he has trouble controlling".

Risher's ex-wife and a former girlfriend both confirm that he has taken steroids prescribed by a doctor.

Reports also show police were called to the Risher's Clinton Township home three times for domestic incidents. In one case, Risher's wife said he pushed her into a table, and knocked the wind out of her leaving a visible scrape. The report says she wanted to press charges but for some reason they were never filed.

Risher worked for a year in the Mount Clemens Fire Department but was terminated in 2003.

His six month performance evaluation gave him unsatisfactory ratings in "ability to get along with others," "carrying out instructions," and “work attitude.”

In all, Risher is accused of attacking five different women since 2005 with no significant repercussions.

Attorney Ven Johnson says it’s his motivation to push the Hamtramck case in civil court.

"My clients have the right to insist that [Risher] be held absolutely accountable for the last year going almost a year and a half,” said Johnson. “He was walking the streets smiling laughing about what he did to these ladies."

Hamtramck Police arrested Risher for disorderly conduct after the Mars Bar incident, but the ticket was later dismissed by a judge.

After Hamtramck Police submit their warrant request, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office will decide whether there is enough evidence to support a criminal charge.

Detroit Fire Commissioner Donald Austin released this statement to 7 Action News:

"The Detroit Fire Department learned of the allegations against Michael Risher when this story originally aired a few weeks ago. The Department has begun a thorough investigation of this incident.

"Regardless of whether criminal charges are filed, we need to determine whether Fire Fighter Risher violated the rules and regulations of the Detroit Fire Department. When our investigation is completed, we will take the appropriate disciplinary action, if any is warranted."

We also reached out to Mike Risher asking for comment on these latest developments.

So far, he has not responded.








           

Women seek justice after firefighter punches, throws them to the ground
Posted: 10/25/2012
date of assault - 03/08/11
By: Scott Lewis
WXYZ News, Detroit
http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/suburban-women-turn-to-7-action-news-investigators-for-justice-after-being-punched-by-firefighter




















(WXYZ) - Two suburban women are turning to the 7 Action News Investigators looking for justice.

They say they were viciously attacked outside of a bar in Hamtramck, and the man who hit them is an off-duty Detroit Firefighter.

The question is: did he use his badge to wiggle off the hook?

It all happened on Paczki Day last year. Samantha Strozynski and her friend Jennifer Panduren went out together, doing some bar-hopping to celebrate Fat Tuesday in Hamtramck.

At the Mars Bar, Strozynski struck up a conversation with an off-duty Detroit firefighter named Mike Risher.

Just before 5:00 p.m., all hell broke loose outside the bar as Strozynski and Panduren were leaving. Paczki day suddenly turned into "punch me" day. As the women were standing on the sidewalk near a crosswalk, they had words with Risher, a burly firefighter and body builder.

Strozynski said she told Risher that she and Panduren were going to get something to eat. She said Risher wanted to go along and became agitated and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

"So Jennifer got upset and looked at him and said, 'why are you following us'?" said Strozynski.

The women told 7 Action News that Risher threatened to "F" them up.

"I said to him, I was like, 'Oh, you're big, you're gonna punch a girl?’And, yea, I ate my words I guess you can say because he definitely did," said Panduren.

Security video from the Mars Bar shows the women being hit and knocked off their feet. First, Panduren is seen staggering backward after Risher pushed and punched her, witnesses said.

Then Stozynski is seen getting punched in the head and going down hard to the pavement. Next, the video shows Panduren stepping forward again, throwing a kick in the firefighter’s direction, getting punched a second time and falling face down into a concrete planter.

"When I took the fall the second time, I bashed my head up there and ended up with three herniated discs in my neck. He dislocated my jaw, chipped like four or five of my teeth,” said Panduren.

“When I first went to see my chiropractor he told me that the force of the punch that I took was the equivalent of getting hit by a car going 45 miles an hour," Strozynski said.

In the security video, both women are seen sitting on the ground briefly after being hit and they appear to be temporarily dazed. Then, male customers are seen rushing out of the bar trying to restrain Risher. At one point, at least six men are seen attempting to hold Risher down. But, he still breaks free.

Also in the video, Panduren, who admitted she was drunk and very angry at being punched, jumped into the scrum as male bar patrons were trying to restrain Risher. Next, Strozynski is seen pulling Panduren to the ground and attempting to hold her back.

"And I just knew that if she continued it was only going to fuel the fire and make things worse," Strozynski told 7 Action News. After Risher broke free from the men trying to restrain him, he is seen getting in Strozynski’s face again as she is holding onto her friend. At that point, the video shows Strozynski throwing a punch at Risher.

"I mean it was either I sat there and I let him punch me, you know, or I defended myself," said Strozynski.

When Hamtramck police arrived Risher claimed that the fight actually started inside the bar and that Panduren started the brawl by hitting him in the face twice. He claimed that he swung back and had to defend himself after other people jumped in.

But the owner of the Mars Bar, who reviewed all of the security videos, inside and outside, told 7 Action News that there was no fighting inside the bar and it looked to him like Risher simply punched the two women after they had words.

Two other witnesses told police that Risher "had gone ballistic, throwing punches at Strozinski and Panduren".

The 7 Action News Investigators tracked down one of those two witnesses. He told Scott Lewis that he just happened to be walking by when the incident happened and that he didn't know any of the people involved. He said he waited around to talk to police because he had never seen anybody hit someone that hard.

A police report on the incident lists Risher’s height at six-feet, two-inches tall and weight at 275 pounds. Strozynski said she is four-feet, eleven-inches tall and Panduren put her height at five feet, one inch.

That witness who was tracked down by 7 Action News also said that when he told one of the officers what he saw, a cop responded: "I can tell you right now, not much is going to come of this because he's a Detroit fireman.”

Police did arrest Risher and Panduren for disorderly conduct and both charges were later dismissed by a judge.

When Strozinski got a copy of the security video from the Mars Bar, she said tried repeatedly to file a police report in Hamtramck, to no avail.

"Nobody would ever let us make a police report,” Stozynski said.

“You wanted to press charges for assault?” Scott Lewis asked.

“ Absolutely!” Strozynski said emphatically.

Both women told Lewis they believe that

Risher got a free pass from the Hamtramck Police Department because of his position as a Detroit firefighter.

When the 7 Action News Investigators approached Risher to get his side of the story he seemed to have amnesia. Lewis said he wanted to talk to him about the incident at the Mars Bar.

“(Do) you know what I'm talking about?” Lewis asked.

“I'm not sure what the Mars Bar is," Richer replied.

“The incident where you punched the two ladies?” Lewis asked.

“Ah,no,” Risher replied.

“You don't recall it?” Lewis persisted.

“ No, I didn't punch any ladies," Risher stated.

When Lewis told Risher he had security video of the incident and offered to show it to him, he declined. Then his memory seemed to improve.

"The fight had started earlier than that and I jumped in to help out so, you know, I'm not sure exactly what you have or if you have the whole entire thing, I don't know," Risher said.

Risher denied using his badge to get a pass in Hamtramck.

But is the incident outside of the Mars Bar a case of déjà vu?

The Investigators dug into Risher’s past and discovered he and a former girlfriend, whom he later married, were involved in an eerily similar bar brawl back in 2006.

That was also caught on a security video tape obtained by 7 Action News.

According a lawsuit filed in Macomb County Circuit Court, Risher's girlfriend started the fight with a newly-wed couple and Risher jumped into the fray. The lawsuit says that when police arrived Risher "flashed his firefighter badge" and claimed the victim was the aggressor.

Attorney Roy Transit, who represented the couple, said the police just accepted Risher’s story as the truth because he worked as a Detroit firefighter.

"And then it immediately went against my client and they arrested her, rather than listening to anything they had to say or going and looking at the video tape that the bar had," Transit said.

The Macomb County Prosecutor eventually dropped the charges and the couple sued Risher and his wife. The couple won a judgment ordering the Risher’s to pay $15,000. Transit said the Risher’s stopped making payments and still owe the couple about $11,000.

In their lawsuit, the couple claimed that Risher’s angry assault was fueled by the use of steroids.

"Risher appears to be suffering from the effects of too many steroids,” says the suit.

“He has a larger than usual physique and a violent temper which he has trouble controlling," Transit wrote in a court filing.

Our 7 Action News investigation also uncovered allegations of violence at home. Police reports indicate that officers were called to the Risher's home three times for domestic incidents. In one case, Risher's wife claimed that he pushed her into a table and knocked the wind out of her. The report noted that Risher’s wife had a small scrape on her body and said that she wanted to press charges. However, there is no indication in police or court records that any charges were ever filed.

Strozynski and Panduren said that Risher’s past paints a troubling picture for a man who wears a badge and gets paid with tax dollars.

"He doesn't deserve it. He doesn't. There are so many other people out there who are so much more deserving than he is," said Strozynski.

7 Action News emailed Risher a copy of the security video from the Mars Bar. We asked him to point out where in the video he was seen intervening in another fight as he claimed. We also asked him about allegations raised in the prior bar fight and the alleged assault on his wife.

Risher did not respond.

The Investigators also contacted Hamtramck Police Chief Maxwell Garbarino and asked him why officers did not allow the women to make a report or look at their video. Garbarino, who was not the chief at the time of the incident, indicated that a detective should have followed up on the complaint. Garbarino has now assigned a detective to take a fresh look at the incident and he said both women will be brought into the police department for interviews.

7 Action News also contacted Detroit Fire Commissioner Donald Austin and asked him whether Risher’s behavior could be in violation of any fire department rules or regulations. Austin indicated he would be watching our investigation and stated that there is a chance Risher could be charged departmentally with conduct unbecoming of a firefighter.

The second video in the player above is the raw surveillance video.

Monday, October 15, 2012

10152012 - Former Deputy Kevin Haan - Allegan SD

October 15, 2012: Former Sheriff Deputy Kevin Haan [Allegan County SD] fled the scene of an accident and led police on a high-speed chase that ended with Haan driving his truck into a building.

Haan was charged with: third-degree fleeing and eluding police, a five-year felony; third-offense driving while intoxicated, a five-year felony; resisting and obstructing police, a two-year felony; and leaving the scene of an accident to fixtures (a road sign), a misdemeanor.

  Haan's past record:
March 04, 2008: Deputy Kevin Haan [Allegan County SD]: Arrested for domestic violence / making threatening phone calls to his wife.
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/deputy-haan-allegan-county-sd.html



March 13, 2008: Deputy Kevin Haan [Allegan County SD]: Arrested for violating bond conditions.
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/deputy-kevin-haan-allegan-co-sd.html


March 28, 2008: Deputy Kevin Haan [Allegan County SD]: arrested for drunk driving.
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/deputy-kevin-haan-allegan-co-sd_28.html

 












Hearing rescheduled for ex-Allegan deputy charged in chase, crash into former Muskegon Township school
Published: Thursday, November 01, 2012, 7:59 PM
Updated: Thursday, November 01, 2012, 8:03 PM
By John S. Hausman
jhausman@mlive.com
The Muskegon Chronicle
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/11/ex-allegan.html




MUSKEGON, MI – The probable cause hearing has been rescheduled for Kevn Jay Haan, a former Allegan County sheriff’s deputy charged in connection with a drunken flight from police that ended with a crash into a former school building in Muskegon Township.

Haan’s preliminary examination in Muskegon County’s 60th District Court was reset Thursday for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 20. It was originally scheduled for Oct. 30 but was adjourned by mutual agreement of the prosecution and defense. Haan is free on a $15,000 signature bond.

Haan, 47, of Wyoming, is charged with third-degree fleeing and eluding police, a five-year felony; third-offense driving while intoxicated, a five-year felony; resisting and obstructing police, a two-year felony; and leaving the scene of an accident to fixtures (a road sign), a misdemeanor.

The Oct. 15 chase across Muskegon County ended when Haan’s burgundy Dodge Ram pickup truck crashed into the former Dangl School building at the intersection of Apple Avenue and Dangl Road.

Police found a half-empty bottle of vodka in the truck, according to D.J. Hilson, senior assistant Muskegon County prosecutor.

Hilson said Haan has prior misdemeanor convictions of malicious use of a telephone, domestic violence and two cases of driving while intoxicated. Those convictions all date from 2008 and 2009, Hilson said.

Haan was an Allegan County Sheriff's Department road patrol deputy from 1991 to April 2008, according to that department. His suspension from the Allegan County Sheriff's Office following his arrests in the earlier cases made headlines.

                       











Former deputy charged in DUI police chase
7:05 PM, Oct 16, 2012
WZZM NEWS
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/228754/14/Former-deputy-charged-in-DUI-police-chase
























MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) -- A former Allegan County Sheriff's deputy is facing a new drunk driving charge after leading police on a high-speed chase through Muskegon County.


Kevin Haan, 47, appeared in Muskegon County District Court Tuesday to face felony charges of operating under the influence (third offense), fleeing and eluding police, and resisting officers. Haan is also facing a misdemeanor charge of running over road signs.

Prosecutors say other motorists spotted Haan driving erratically on M-37 in Kent City and called 911. Michigan State Police soon spotted Haan's truck and began the 20-mile chase, reaching speeds of 75-80 miles per hour on M-46 between Casnovia and Muskegon townships.

The pursuit ended when Haan's truck ran into an old school at the corner of Apple Avenue (M-46) and Dangl Road in Muskegon Township.

"When the officers inspected the vehicle they found a half-consumed bottle of vodka," says D.J. Hilson, Muskegon County senior assistant prosecutor.

Haan's first drunk driving arrest was in 2004, when he was still working for the Allegan County Sheriff's Department. His conviction later that year ended his 18-year career as a deputy.

In 2005, Haan was convicted in another drunk driving case, this time in Kent County.

Reported by Jon Mills in Muskegon

                       











Former deputy charged in DUI police chase
Submitted by WZZM13, News Staff
Tuesday, October 16th, 2012, 6:05pm
http://muskegon.wzzm13.com/news/news/74275-former-deputy-charged-dui-police-chase






















MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) -- A former Allegan County Sheriff's deputy is facing a new drunk driving charge after leading police on a high-speed chase through Muskegon County.

Kevin Haan, 47, appeared in Muskegon County District Court Tuesday to face felony charges of operating under the influence (third offense), fleeing and eluding police, and resisting officers. Haan is also facing a misdemeanor charge of running over road signs.

Prosecutors say other motorists spotted Haan driving erratically on M-37 in Kent City and called 911. Michigan State Police soon spotted Haan's truck and began the 20-mile chase, reaching speeds of 75-80 miles per hour on M-46 between Casnovia and Muskegon townships.

The pursuit ended when Haan's truck ran into an old school at the corner of Apple Avenue (M-46) and Dangl Road in Muskegon Township.

"When the officers inspected the vehicle they found a half-consumed bottle of vodka," says D.J. Hilson, Muskegon County senior assistant prosecutor.

Haan's first drunk driving arrest was in 2004, when he was still working for the Allegan County Sheriff's Department. His conviction later that year ended his 18-year career as a deputy.

In 2005, Haan was convicted in another drunk driving case, this time in Kent County.



















Ex-Allegan sheriff's deputy faces judge after chase, crash into Muskegon Township building
Published: Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 6:02 PM
Updated: Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 6:03 PM
By John S. Hausman
jhausman@mlive.com
The Muskegon Chronicle
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/10/ex-allegan_sheriffs_deputy_fac.html








MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – His bruised face tense, his manner subdued and respectful, former Allegan County sheriff’s deputy Kevn Jay Haan faced a Muskegon County judge Tuesday for charges stemming from Monday’s police chase and crash into a former school building.

Haan, 47, of Wyoming was arraigned before 60th District Judge Michael J. Nolan on charges of third-degree fleeing and eluding police, a five-year felony; third-offense driving while intoxicated, a five-year felony; resisting and obstructing police, a two-year felony; and leaving the scene of an accident to fixtures (a road sign), a misdemeanor.

Nolan reduced Haan’s interim bond of $15,000 from cash or surety to personal recognizance or signature, on condition that Haan has an electronic alcohol-sensing ankle monitor attached. Haan is forbidden to consume any alcohol as a condition of bond.

Nolan scheduled a preliminary examination on the felony charges and a pretrial conference on the misdemeanor for Oct. 30.

Monday’s chase across Muskegon County ended when Haan’s burgundy Dodge Ram pickup truck crashed into the former Dangl School building at the intersection of Apple Avenue and Dangl Road.

Police found a half-empty bottle of vodka in the truck, according to D.J. Hilson, senior assistant Muskegon County prosecutor.

Hilson said Haan has prior misdemeanor convictions of malicious use of a telephone, domestic violence and two cases of driving while intoxicated. Those convictions all date from 2008 and 2009, Hilson said.

Records also show Haan has a pending misdemeanor arrest warrant from Kent County for an alleged hit-and-run accident, Hilson said.

Haan was an Allegan County Sheriff's Department road patrol deputy from 1991 to April 2008, according to Lt. Frank Baker of that department. His suspension from the Allegan County Sheriff's Office following his arrests in the earlier cases made headlines.

Hilson said the Monday incident began in northern Kent County. A civilian allegedly noticed Haan driving a burgundy Dodge Ram erratically on Long Lake Road, Hilson said.

The civilian began following him with a number of stops and starts, including one at an elementary school in Kent City, west toward Muskegon County, Hilson said. The civilian tried unsuccessfully to speak with Haan at a four-way stop sign in Kent City, the prosecutor said.

The civilian followed the truck to the traffic circle at M-46 and M-37 in Casnovia Township on the east side of Muskegon County, where Haan allegedly drove straight through and knocked down a traffic sign. By this time the civilian was on the phone with Muskegon County Central Dispatch, Hilson said.

A Michigan State Police trooper caught up with the truck on M-46 (Apple Avenue) in Moorland Township and began pursuing him with lights and sirens on Apple Avenue and other roads in eastern Muskegon County. Speeds reached 75 to 80 mph on Apple.

The Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office and Muskegon Township Police Department joined the chase as the cars traveled west, Hilson said.

Once in Muskegon Township, after a series of turns and a failed attempt to stop the truck with stop sticks and by ramming its rear at Marquette Avenue and Dangl Road, the truck went out of control after striking a civilian vehicle while turning right from Dangl onto Apple. The truck then jumped the curb and crashed into the former school, a building now privately owned and used for storage.

A state trooper blocked in the truck with his cruiser.

Haan was not seriously injured and no other injuries were reported. He was arrested at the scene.

                     










Ex-deputy faces 3rd OWI in chase, crash
Kevin Haan left Allegan Co. Sheriff's Dept in 2008
Updated: Tuesday, 16 Oct 2012, 11:58 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 16 Oct 2012, 5:27 PM EDT
WOOD TV
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/muskegon_county/Ex-deputy-faces-3rd-OWI-in-chase-crash


MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) - A former sheriff's deputy faces multiple charges after allegedly leading police on a chase and crashing into an old school building while drunk.

Kevin Jay Haan crashed his vehicle into a former Orchard View School building near Apple Avenue and Dangl Road Monday afternoon.

Haan, 47, now faces charges of third-degree fleeing and eluding, operating while intoxicated (third offense) and resisting and obstructing, according to the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office.

Authorities say a half-empty bottle of vodka was found in the crashed truck. The resisting police charge was because of his actions after the crash.

A woman whose vehicle Haan allegedly hit during the chase told 24 Hour News 8 Tuesday evening that she's "disappointed" a former law enforcement officer would behave recklessly and try to run from police.

His previous drunk driving convictions were in 2008 and 2010, according to the Prosecutor's Office.

In 2008, Haan resigned from the Allegan County Sheriff's Department after 18 years on the force. He had been arrested three times in March of that year for threatening his wife over the phone, violating bond, and drunk driving.

He pleaded guilty in May 2008 to misdemeanor malicious use of a telecommunications device and operating while impaired, according to state records.

He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence after a May 2008 incident.

Haan was arrested again in October 2008 in Kent County for operating while intoxicated, to which he also pleaded guilty.

                     











Ex-Allegan sheriff's deputy was allegedly drunk during chase, crash into Muskegon Township building
Published: Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 3:39 PM
Updated: Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 4:03 PM
By John S. Hausman
jhausman@mlive.com
The Muskegon Chronicle
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/10/wyoming_man_charged_in_chase_c.html

         
         

MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – An arrest warrant has been issued charging former Allegan County sheriff's deputy Kevin Jay Haan with multiple felonies stemming from a Muskegon County police chase Monday that ended when Haan crashed his pickup truck into a former school.

The warrant authorized Tuesday afternoon by the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office charges Haan, 47, of Wyoming, with third-degree fleeing and eluding police, third-offense driving while intoxicated and resisting and obstructing police -- all felonies -- plus failure to stop at an accident involving fixtures (a road sign), a misdemeanor.

Muskegon County 60th District Court Magistrate Michael Van Epps signed the warrant Tuesday afternoon and set interim bond at $15,000. Arraignment was expected later Tuesday afternoon.

Haan remained in the Muskegon County Jail pending arraignment Tuesday afternoon.

Police found a half-empty bottle of vodka in the truck, according to D.J. Hilson, senior assistant Muskegon County prosecutor.

Hilson said Haan has prior misdemeanor convictions of malicious use of a telephone, domestic violence and two cases of driving while intoxicated. Those convictions all date from 2008 and 2009, Hilson said.

Records also show Haan has a pending misdemeanor arrest warrant from Kent County for an alleged hit-and-run accident, Hilson said.

Haan was an Allegan County Sheriff's Department road patrol deputy from 1991 to April 2008, according to Lt. Frank Baker of that department.

His suspension from the Allegan County Sheriff's Office following his arrests in the earlier cases made headlines.

Hilson said the Monday incident began in northern Kent County. A civilian allegedly noticed Haan driving a burgundy Dodge Ram erratically on Long Lake Road, Hilson said.

The civilian began following him with a number of stops and starts, including one at an elementary school in Kent City, west toward Muskegon County, Hilson said. The civilian tried unsuccessfully to speak with Haan at a four-way stop sign in Kent City, the prosecutor said.

The civilian followed the truck to the traffic circle at M-46 and M-37 in Casnovia Township on the east side of Muskegon County, where Haan allegedly drove straight through and knocked down a traffic sign. By this time the civilian was on the phone with Muskegon County Central Dispatch, Hilson said.

A Michigan State Police trooper caught up with the truck on M-46 (Apple Avenue) in Moorland Township and began pursuing him with lights and sirens on Apple Avenue and other roads in eastern Muskegon County. Speeds reached 75 to 80 mph on Apple.

The Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office and Muskegon Township Police Department joined the chase as the cars traveled west, Hilson said.

Once in Muskegon Township, after a series of turns and a failed attempt to stop the truck with stop sticks and by ramming its rear at Marquette Avenue and Dangl Road, the truck went out of control after striking a civilian vehicle while turning right from Dangl onto Apple. The truck then jumped the curb and crashed into the former Dangl School, a building now privately owned and used for storage.

A state trooper blocked in the truck with his cruiser.

Haan was not seriously injured and no other injuries were reported. He was arrested after initially resisting, Hilson said.

                       











Wyoming man in custody after chase ends with crash into building in Muskegon Township
Published: Monday, October 15, 2012, 2:59 PM
Updated: Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 10:33 AM
By John S. Hausman
jhausman@mlive.com
The Muskegon Chronicle
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/10/wyoming_man_in_custody_after_c.html#incart_river_default

 


UPDATE: The driver's age in this story has been corrected based on updated information.


MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – A 47-year-old Wyoming man was in custody Monday afternoon after crashing a pickup truck into the former Dangl Elementary School on Apple Avenue following a police chase through more than 10 miles of eastern Muskegon County.

The driver suffered minor injuries that did not require hospitalization and was arrested at the scene of the crash, according to Sgt. Andy Stoner of the Michigan State Police. No other injuries were reported.

The driver’s identity was not immediately released pending formal charges against him. He already had an arrest warrant outstanding, according to Muskegon Township Police Chief Ken Sanford.

The chase began after a citizen called 911 at 12:33 p.m. to report a hit-and-run accident. A truck had reportedly plowed straight through the traffic roundabout at M-46 and M-37 in Casnovia Township and struck a light pole, damaging its windshield, police said.

State troopers spotted the burgundy Dodge Ram truck in Moorland Township and tried to stop it. The truck fled west on Apple.

A state police trooper who initiated the pursuit reported the truck was traveling at about 75 mph hour down Apple at one point and the male driver, who was alone in the truck, was making obscene gestures out the driver’s side window, according to police radio traffic.

The fleeing vehicle turned north on Quarterline Road, then east on Marquette Avenue to Dangl Road. Police deployed stop sticks at the intersection of Marquette and Dangl but didn’t stop the truck.

Also at that intersection, MSP Trooper Dave Brunsting attempted to stop the truck by tapping its rear at a relatively low speed, Stoner said. Although both vehicles were damaged, that maneuver, too, failed to stop the truck, which fled south on Dangl to Apple.

While turning right onto Apple Avenue, the truck struck a civilian vehicle, lost control and smashed into the building, Stoner said. The driver reportedly tried to back up, but Brunsting parked his cruiser against the back of the truck and blocked it, Stoner said.

Dangl School was formerly part of the Orchard View Public Schools district but closed years ago. It’s now used to store property sold at flea markets, police said.

Assisting the state police were the Muskegon Township Police Department and the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office.

                         











High-speed police chase ends with truck hitting vacant school in Muskegon Township
Published: Monday, October 15, 2012, 1:15 PM
Updated: Monday, October 15, 2012, 2:17 PM
By John S. Hausman
jhausman@mlive.com
The Muskegon Chronicle
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2012/10/high-speed_police_chase_ends_w.html



MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – A high-speed police chase ended with a pickup truck crashing into an empty elementary school in Muskegon Township on Monday.


The chase started on Apple Avenue in Moorland Township around noon somewhere near the Muskegon County wastewater facility and headed westbound into the heavily populated area of Muskegon.

A Michigan State Police trooper who initiated the pursuit reported the truck was traveling at about 75 mph hour down Apple at one point and the male driver, who was alone in the truck, was making obscene gestures out the driver’s side window, according to police radio traffic.

The fleeing vehicle, a burgundy Dodge Ram pickup truck, turned north on Quarterline Road, east on Marquette Avenue and south on Dangl Road, heading back toward Apple Avenue.

Police deployed stop sticks in several locations to puncture the truck’s tires. The truck slammed into the side of a vacant elementary school building at the intersection of Apple and Dangl with authorities from the Michigan State Police, Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office and Muskegon Township Police Department in pursuit.

The suspect reportedly suffered a minor face injury from an unrelated incident that may have precipitated the chase. At least one Michigan State Police cruiser sustained damage, but no other injuries were reported.


                         









Truck runs into building after police chase
Submitted by Amy Fox, WZZM Executive Producer
Monday, October 15th, 2012, 12:42pm
http://muskegon.wzzm13.com/news/news/74246-truck-runs-building-after-police-chase





MUSKEGON COUNTY, Michigan (WZZM) - Michigan State Police chased a pick up truck which ended up running into a building in Muskegon County midday Monday.


The chase started shortly before noon. Michigan State Police say a Dodge Ram was driving erratically. When a trooper tried to pull the pick up truck over, the driver sped off, leading police on a chase.

The chase ended in the area of Apple Avenue and Dangl. The Dodge Ram ended up going off the road and running into a building, a former Orchard View school building. However, the truck did not just run into the building, it ran up onto the building and was balancing on 2 wheels.

The vehicle also smashed a window of the building and knocked over a pole near the former school building.

Friday, October 12, 2012

10112012 - Officer Kenneth Bluew - Convicted Of Murdering Pregnant Girlfriend Jennifer Webb - VIDEOS



Jennifer Webb Murder Case Links































[MI] Officer Bluew Guilty