Robert Haack

A Cedar Springs man was arrested earlier this month after it was discovered he had left a stolen vehicle at an area gas station. 

According to Sand Lake Police Chief James Reamsma, they received a report of an abandoned vehicle at the Sand Lake Wesco gas station on September 14. While checking on the vehicle, a 2013 white Ford, they determined the vehicle had been stolen in the city of Grand Rapids. 

“We received information that several persons had been contacted in regards to purchasing the vehicle,” said Reamsma. “After numerous interviews and hours of investigation, the driver of the vehicle was identified as Robert Joe Haack of Cedar Springs. Due in large part to the efforts of Sgt. Steve Brandow, the Sand Lake Police obtained a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Haack.”

Haack, 47, was out on parole, so Chief Reamsma informed his parole officer of the warrant, and when Haack checked in, he was arrested by Grand Rapids Police. Haack was arraigned on several charges, including receiving and concealing stolen property of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000; being a habitual offender-4^th offense; VCSA use of marijuana; and operating on a suspended or revoked license. He is being held on a parole violation.

Haack was previously sentenced in 2013 to 1-15 years for stealing/retaining without consent a financial transaction device; he was paroled in July 2016. Before that, he was sentenced in November 2009 to 1-3 years for breaking and entering a coin operated device, and 1-10 years for possession of burglar tools. In 2004, he was sentenced 1-4 years for possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine; and in 2001, he was sentenced 3-5 years for fleeing and eluding a police officer; 2 years 8 months to 4 years for assault with a dangerous weapon; 3 to 10 years for breaking and entering a building.

The Courtland Fire Department was one of the fire departments honored at the American Legion dinner.

The evening of February 20 was set aside at the American Legion Post in Cedar Springs as a time to honor the First Responders of the community.  A wonderful Swiss steak meal was provided for our local heroes for their sacrifices, contributions and dedication to public service.

The Kent County Sheriff Department was also in attendance

Seventy-five attendees from the Sand Lake Police and Fire Department, Solon Township Fire Department, Cedar Springs Fire Department, Spencer Township Fire Department, Courtland Township Fire Department, Oakfield Township Fire Department, Algoma Township Fire Department and the Kent County Sherriff’s Department enjoyed the meal and were given certificates of appreciation.

Twenty-five members of the Glen Hill Post 287 Family worked to make this event possible, as well as assistance on items for the dinner from Save A Lot and Kelly’s Restaurant.

Grand Rapids Community College donated one Decatur Genisis II radar unit to the Sand Lake Police Department on Friday, October 14. George Zeeff, Professor/Department Head of Criminal Justice at GRCC represented GRCC in making this donation.
Also present was Police Academy Student Intern Jerry Seevers. Jerry and two other academy students completed 90 hour internships with the Sand Lake Police Department this year.
The Sand Lake Police Department cannot wait to bring the new unit into service, according to Sand Lake Chief of Police Ken Williams. “The new radar features Ka band frequency, which broadcasts farther and is more reliable than the previous K band system,” said Williams.
The new system features two antennas, allowing officers to track vehicles approaching from the front of the car as well as the rear of the car, while sitting stationary or while moving. The old system had only one antenna, which allowed officers to monitor vehicles in front of the car while stationary and had limited use while moving.