justnorth posted on December 19, 2007 08:26 :: 1833 Views
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement officials today announced a 40-year-old Gladwin County man is scheduled to be arraigned today on multiple misdemeanor and felony counts in 80th District Court in Gladwin.
The suspect is believed to have been responsible for illegally shooting four large antlered deer from the wild in Clare and Midland counties; three privately owned large antlered deer within two game farms in Clare and Gladwin counties; and was in possession of a stolen firearm. Most of the deer were believed to have been killed this fall prior to the legal firearm season.
Michigan Conservation Officers Steve Lockwood, Joel Lundberg, Jason McColloch and Charles McPherson, working from Clare, Gladwin and Roscommon counties, pooled resources Sunday night and early Monday morning to piece this case together. Their investigation resulted from a citizen complaint during the recent firearm deer season. The three privately owned deer had a value estimated over $14,000 and felony larceny charges are anticipated regarding these deer. The firearm was stolen from a sporting goods store in Clare on or about the Nov. 15 opening day for the firearm deer season.
DNR Law Enforcement officials said citizen involvement often is crucial in developing cases like this.
"Citizens are the eyes and ears for conservation officers putting together the pieces of a complex puzzle like this," said Lt. Creig Grey, District Law Enforcement supervisor in Roscommon. "It is truly encouraging when people make a stand and report violations, in effect saying I'm not going to let this happen any more."
Any citizen who has information regarding a violation of Michigan's conservation laws is encouraged to call the DNR's Report All Poaching hotline at (800) 292-7800. Information can be provided anonymously.
Article Source:
http://justnorth.com/Articles/tabid/105/articleType/AuthorView/authorID/12/justnorth.aspx