POLICE & COURTS

The following people appeared last week in Tuscola County 
Circuit Court on various criminal charges:

Ex-girlfriend blow the whistle

3 face charges in break-ins

  An ex-girlfriend, apparently scorned, provided law enforcement officials with information that helped lead to the arrests of 2 suspects, including a Cass City man, in conjunction with several break-ins in the Thumb.
  Now, the suspects, Jeffery A. Craig, 25, Flushing, and Raymond M. Matson, 28, Cass City, each face multiple charges, including breaking and entering a building with intent to commit larceny, larceny in a building, arson, safe breaking, unlawfully driving away an automobile and conspiracy.
  Both men were formally arraigned on a combined 60 counts in Tuscola County District Court last week. Their next court appearances - preliminary examinations -- are scheduled for Friday.
  The suspects also face charges in Sanilac County, and a third man is expected to be charged, according to Tuscola County Prosecutor Mark Reene, who said the suspects constituted a crime spree by themselves dating back to 2005.
  The prosecutor noted Craig's and Matson's names have been "floating about" as possible suspects, but the information provided by Craig's ex-girlfriend enabled investigators to put together several pieces of the puzzle. "That's what started the ball rolling in December," he said.
  Aside from tips from the ex-girlfriend, Craig and Matson were arrested during a break-in in Sanilac County last December, said Reene, who added the men, along with the third suspect, allegedly burglarized several businesses and residences over the course of more than 2 years. The alleged crimes include at least 2 incidents in which the men are accused of stealing vehicles to commit the crimes, then setting the vehicles on fire in an attempt to destroy the evidence.
  Among the suspects' alleged targets were the Allway Stop Market in Gagetown and Thumb Welding Supplies Inc., 5107 Kelly Rd., Cass City.
  The suspects are charged with not only breaking in to the Allway Stop Market back in 2005, but also attempting to make off with the business' ATM machine by securing it with a chain and dragging it behind a vehicle. The pair allegedly burglarized Thumb Welding twice last November, taking a cash register on the first trip and a computer and welding equipment during the return visit.
  Court records also cite break-ins or thefts last November at Kappen Excavating on East Dayton Road (copper and portable welding cables), and last December at a barn along Dutcher Road (numerous tools and power equipment). 
  Reene said the suspects may be linked to similar incidents in Huron, Lapeer and Genesee counties, but he isn't certain if or when those counties will pursue charges given the case against the men in Tuscola County.
  Reene was quick to laud the work of investigators with the Michigan State Police, including Trooper Robert Dunham at the Caro post and Trooper Bethany Craig at the Sandusky post.
  "They both - you can imagine the paperwork associated with this to generate the charges. That's a Herculean task, and they did a great job. They need to be commended for that," he said.

A job well done...

TUSCOLA COUNTY Prosecutor Mark Reene (left) says Cass City Police officers Jake Dhyse and Roger Zelmer were involved in a life-threatening situation while arresting a fleeing felon/parole absconder in late December. The pair received certificates of merit for their heroic actions. 

David G. Myers

  Sanilac County Family Court - Friend of the Court/Referee David G. Myers last week announced his candidacy for the office of Sanilac County District Court judge.
  Incumbent district court Judge James Marcus recently announced that he will not seek another term during the Tuesday, Aug. 5, primary, and Tuesday, Nov. 4 general elections.
  Myers, 55, currently serves as Sanilac County Friend of the Court and Family Court magistrate. He has served in Sanilac County for the past 9 years. Prior to 1999 he had his own general law practice in Caro for 15 years, and was an assistant prosecutor in the Tuscola County Prosecutor's Officer for 5 years.
  Myers graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in criminal justice in 1974, and received his Juris Doctor from Detroit College of Law in 1979.
  His professional associations include membership in the Friend of the Court Association of Michigan, the Referees Association of Michigan, the State Bar of Michigan, the Federal Bar Association of Southeast Michigan, and the Sanilac County Bar Association. Myers is also a past member of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, and served as past president of the Tuscola County Bar Association.
  Although he recently moved from Caro to Sandusky, he remains active in Tuscola County as a member of the Caro Knights of Columbus Council 3224, the Caro Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and the Tuscola Area Center for the Arts.
  Asked why he is running for district court judge, Myers responded, "Since the incumbent district court judge is not running for reelection, I feel that I can offer myself as a qualified candidate and the candidate most qualified in terms of not only quasi-judicial experience as a magistrate/referee, but also in terms of experience as an attorney on both sides of the criminal case.
  "I would like to offer voters of Sanilac County the benefits of my experience, my problem-solving abilities, and my continued dedication to the legal profession."