The Cedar Springs Police aided the Kent County Sheriff in arresting the second suspect in a felony breaking and entering of a vehicle from earlier this summer.

The Cedar Springs Police Department recently received two Silent Observer Tips informing them that a wanted person was back in the city. Their investigation showed that there was a felony warrant for the individual. Cedar Springs Units were assisted by the Kent County Sheriff Department at 9:15 a.m. Friday, September 2nd, with officers covering the front and back of the mobile home while Officer Chad Potts made contact with the home owner. The home was located on Allan Street in the Cedar Springs Mobile Estates.

The female who answered the door was reluctant at first to cooperate with the police but eventually understood the ramifications of harboring a felon and allowed an officer inside to check for the wanted individual. The 29-year-old Cedar Springs resident was located inside and cooperated with police allowing them to take him into custody. The subject was lodged in the Kent County Jail and will be arraigned in 63rd District Court on a felony warrant. The warrant was from the Kent County Sheriff Department for “Felony Burglary with damage.” His name is being withheld pending arraignment.

According to Lt. Ron Gates, of the Kent County Sheriff Department, this is the second suspect in a crime that occurred on June 9, at the Meijer on 17 Mile Road in Solon Township. Two Cedar Springs men went shopping, and when they came out, they broke into a car in the parking lot. They smashed the passenger side window, and stole a book bag with text books, a calculator, thumb drive, and two pairs of prescription glasses. The two men were caught on surveillance footage and the road patrol identified them. One of the men, a 32-year-old Cedar Springs man, was arrested August 12, and the second was arrested Sept. 2, with the help of Cedar Springs Police. Names will be released once they are arraigned.

According to Lt. Gates, this was most likely a crime of opportunity. “It is a good reminder to always try to hide your belongings, put them in the trunk. Cell phones, GPS, book bags, etc. should be hidden,” he said. “People see it and then try to break in to take it.”

A man could be facing charges for fleeing the scene of a personal injury accident last Friday.

The Kent County Sheriffs Department were called to the scene of an accident at 22 Mile Road and Red Pine Drive in Tyrone Township about 7:15 a.m. September 4. According to Lt. Kevin Kelly, a Jeep driven by a 37-year-old woman was traveling south on Red Pine Drive NW, when it was struck by a Grand Prix traveling westbound on 22 Mile. The Grand Prix failed to stop at the intersection, and struck the driver’s side door of the Jeep. Both the female driver and her 8-year-old son, who was a passenger in the backseat, were taken to the hospital with what were believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the Grand Prix fled the scene on foot but was tracked with the assistance of a Michigan State Police canine unit and taken into custody.

According to Lt. Kelley, the case is still under investigation, and they plan to pursue some type of charges against the driver that fled.

(ARA) – In a tough economy, it’s only natural to look for ways to cut corners. But trimming auto maintenance expenses isn’t worth the risk. Taking proper care of your car steers you on the road to safe driving. It can help to keep more cash in your pocket too.

“Even the most cautious drivers are putting themselves in danger if they’re not driving a well-maintained vehicle,” says Charles Valinotti, senior vice president with QBE Regional Insurance. “No one wants to be in a less-than-road-worthy vehicle during an emergency.”

Most drivers are diligent about addressing major mechanical issues, especially since today’s cars have automatic alerts when a problem surfaces. However, many people overlook the basics – like tires – which can quickly outlive their usefulness. In recent surveys, The Rubber Manufacturers Association reported that nearly two out of three drivers do not know how to tell if their tires are bald and only 9 percent of vehicles have four properly inflated tires.

Valinotti warns that all too often windshield wipers go unnoticed until it is too late. “It’s usually after a nighttime auto accident where there’s bad weather and little visibility, when a driver realizes that they haven’t replaced their wiper blades in years,” he says. Holding off on an oil change or spark plug replacement is not worth compromising safety either.

In addition to the peace of mind that comes from having reliable tires, windshield wipers, brakes, suspension and steering systems, there are other benefits from proper car maintenance:

• Save yourself from expensive car repairs after an accident that could’ve been prevented.
• Extend your vehicle’s life span and avoiding replacement costs for big-ticket auto parts. Consult your owner’s manual to determine how often you should perform certain services on your car. If you take a long road trip or have greater wear and tear on your car, think of making a visit to your auto mechanic ahead of schedule.
• Save money at the pump. If you drive a car with a poorly tuned engine or tires that aren’t properly inflated, you could find yourself filling up the gas tank more often. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve mileage by as much as 40 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environment Protection Agency.
• Score some discounts on your auto insurance policy. “We encourage our customers to drive safely and invest in ongoing auto maintenance,” Valinotti says. “Our safe driver discount can take up to 10 percent off your premium.” Approximately 85 percent of vehicles insured by General Casualty, a QBE Regional Insurance company, get that reward. The safe driver discount is applied automatically and keeps rolling over each year you are accident or violation free.

In between scheduled maintenance checks with a mechanic, drivers should do routine checks on their own, too. It’s as simple as referring to the owner’s manual for instructions. A little more diligence with car care goes a long way.
Courtesy of ARAcontent