On Thursday August 22, 49-year-old Michael Loren Smith allegedly robbed a bank in downtown Grand Rapids. Smith is said to have robbed the Chase Bank located at 200 Ottawa Ave. NW to support his crack-cocaine addiction. The robbery took place at about 4:30 in the afternoon; as Smith was walking…
Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Man Suspected in Alpine Township Home Invasion Will Not Be Allowed to Attend Mother’s Memorial Service
Brandon Cook, a 30-year-old Sparta resident, was charged in June with first-degree home invasion in connection with the break-in of an Alpine Township home. He was lodged in the Kent County Jail on a $100,000 bond, where he remains. Cook’s mother, 54-year-old RuthAnn Robinson, died on August 15. She will…
Drunk Driving and Driver’s License Suspension in Michigan
In Michigan, most people who are pulled over on suspicion of DUI or drunk driving are most concerned about fines, and the possibility they may go to jail if convicted. What many motorists don’t think about – or perhaps don’t even know – is that even before being convicted, their…
Shoplifting Now a Felony Offense in Michigan; Offenders May Face Prison Time
On March 31 of this year, a new law regarding shoplifting took effect which was sponsored by Genesee County State Representative Joseph Graves. Now, shoplifting has become a felony crime punishable by up to five years in prison. Decades ago, shoplifting typically consisted of lifting a candy bar or pack…
Court of Appeals Decision in Armed Robbery Case Overturned by Michigan Supreme Court
In July of 2010, Devon Glenn Jr. was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison by Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain for his role in the August 2009 robbery of Buddy’s Mini Mart. Glenn was allegedly carrying a fake sawed-off shotgun when he and another man, Georval Pennington,…
Cass County Residents Arrested on Multiple Methamphetamine-related Charges
According to a Cass County Drug Enforcement Team news release, four people have been arrested on multiple methamphetamine-related charges after narcotics investigators obtained search warrants and searched two homes, one in Calvin Township and one in Mason Township. A news article at Mlive.com states that 42-year-old Bonita King and 41-year-old…
Benton Harbor Teen Wanted for Attempted Murder Turns Himself In
On Monday August 19, 17-year-old Elliott Coates turned himself in to police according to a news article at The Herald Palladium. Coates had been wanted in connection with the July shooting of two teen boys in Broadway Park. Coates, who is a resident of Benton Harbor, had been hiding out…
Two Men Arrested Near South Haven for Cocaine, Other Charges
On Monday August 19, a traffic stop in South Haven resulted in two men being arrested after it was found the men were in possession of cocaine, marijuana, and an open bottle of vodka. The men were driving a white Pontiac Bonneville in the area of CR 388 near I-196…
Murder Conviction of Detroit Man Overturned by Federal Appeals Court
In April of 2000, Reginald Walker, a Detroit-area man who was 46 years old, allegedly shot and killed Larry John Troup inside a liquor store on the northwest side of Detroit. The incident occurred after Troup and a friend who were in the store were paying for their purchases, and…
Liberty Township Man Arrested for Allegedly Dealing Heroin
Jessie Jones, a 42-year-old Liberty Township resident, was recently arrested for allegedly dealing heroin according to a news article at Mlive.com. Jones, who was arraigned on three felony charges on Thursday, August 15, was charged with using a firearm to commit a felony, felon in possession of a firearm, and…