Police & Fire: Charges sought for two Battle Creek men for gun threats in separate incidents

Trace Christenson | Battle Creek Enquirer

MAN ARRESTED: A 21-year-old Battle Creek man was arrested after Battle Creek police said he punched another man and threatened several people with a gun and car. Police said the assaults were retaliation after the suspect's girlfriend ended their relationship.

The 19-year-old man who was punched said he was with the former girlfriend and another man when they saw the former boyfriend, who began yelling at them. They left the store parking lot but said they were followed by the suspect. According to the victim, the suspect drove very close to the back of their car, then pulled around and forced them to stop in the 3300 block of Gethings Road at 10:15 p.m. Monday.

The suspect then pulled up his shirt to display a handgun as he began walking toward the vehicle with the three people inside. When the victim rolled down his window, he was punched in the face by the suspect, who then drove away. The suspect was found and arrested on charges of felonious assault, illegally carrying a concealed weapon, simple assault and reckless driving.

SEARCH WARRANTS: The Calhoun County Sheriff Department has seized stolen property during a search warrant Tuesday at 19591 11 Mile Road in Pennfield Township. Deputies executed the warrant at 11:30 a.m. and said they seized three rifles, 100 rounds of ammunition, a chest of silver flatware, two cellphones, a digital scale and four pounds of marijuana. The search is part of an ongoing investigation of several home invasions in Calhoun, Barry and Eaton counties by the Michigan State police and deputies from all three counties. Suspects in the case, Keith Worthington, 31, and Tiffany Denton, 28, both of Battle Creek, were arrested Thursday near Bellevue.

BOMB THREAT: The Battle Creek Police Department Bomb Squad investigated a suspicious suitcase left on Champion Street in front of the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center. Security officers at the center notified Battle Creek police at 3:22 a.m. after someone reported seeing the suitcase near a telephone pole and mailbox. Video showed the man carrying what appeared to be a heavy suitcase, put it down and quickly walk away. The bomb squad was unable to determine what was inside using an X-ray and so fired a water cannon at the suitcase and then found it contained toiletries. Police have not found the man who left the suitcase. Champion Street was closed a little more than two hours during the investigation.

GUN SHOWN: A warrant is being sought for a 49-year-old Battle Creek man after another man said he was threatened about 3:43 p.m. Monday in the 100 block of Grove Street. The victim, 48, told Battle Creek police he and the suspect argued about some items the suspect left in the victim's car.

During the argument, the suspect raised his shirt and showed a handgun in his waistband, then threw a piece of wood at the victim and attempted to hit him with his car. Police did not find the suspect.

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Call Silent Observer at 269-964-3888 or text CRIMES (274637) SOTIP or see www.crimereports.com with information about crimes.