Published on April 27, 2026
On April 23, 2026, members of the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) and Crime Reduction Team (CRT) conducted a directed patrol related to gun violence on the city’s east side neighborhoods. During the directed patrol four illegally possessed firearms were seized, resulting in three arrests.
The suspect in the first investigation was observed in the 500 block of Phelps Ave showing indicators of being armed with a concealed firearm. The male was known to Investigators to be 18-years-old, and not eligible to carry a concealed weapon. When contacted by Investigators the male fled on foot, attempting to throw the firearm concealed in his waistband on a nearby roof. He was apprehended shortly after. The 18-year-old male was arrested for resisting and obstructing an weapons offenses.
The suspects in the second investigation were observed in the 2400 block of Gull Road, where a 21-year-old male was observed concealing a firearm under his jacket. The male was accompanied by two other males. The group was followed to the 5500 block of Gull Road where contact was made with the male concealing the firearm, who fled on foot. He was apprehended quickly, and a stolen firearm out of the city of Kalamazoo recovered from his person. The other males, a 22-year-old and 16-year-old, walked away while contact was made with the original suspect, but were quickly detained after the 22-year-old suspect was observed discarding a firearm in a nearby dumpster. When collecting the firearm observed being discarded in the dumpster, two firearms were located. The 22-year-old and 21-year-old suspects were arrested and lodged at Kalamazoo County Jail for numerous weapons offenses. The 16-year-old was released from the scene to a guardian pending further investigation.
If you have information about this case, please call KVET at 269-337-8880. You can also submit an anonymous tip through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, the “P3Tips” app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.
By authority of: Sergeant Dan Boglitsch