CHARLEVOIX COUNTY, MI – A Michigan man who fired a pistol several times to “encourage” vehicles to move along was arrested after finding out they belonged to DNR officers.

According to an official DNR report, the incident occurred in mid-March near the Cheboygan- Charlevoix county border when Tim Rosochacki, a conservation officer in DNR District 3, was assisting a group of three snowmobilers who had become stuck in deep snow while riding off-trail.

After unloading his snowmobile and gathering equipment, CO Rosochacki was waiting for CO Matt Theunick to arrive when a subject at a residence nearby exited the home and discharged a pistol several times before heading back inside.

CO Theunick and Cheboygan County Sheriff’s deputies arrived and contacted the intoxicated male subject. During the investigation, it was determined that the subject had discharged the pistol to “encourage” the vehicle parked near the residence to move along and.

The man was later arrested on numerous firearm-related charges and lodged in the Charlevoix County Jail. COs Rosochacki and Theunick later found the snowmobilers in good spirits and helped them out of the situation.

DNR District 3 is in Northern Michigan and includes Alpena, Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle counties.