01-25-2018 Police Reports

Police Reports

By Annette Christie Murder-suicide in Covert

The Covert Township Police Department with assistance from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department and Pokagon Tribal Police responded to the 72000 Block of County Road 376 for a possible suicidal person with a gun on January 18, 2018. Officers arrived on scene and discovered Edward Gorenz, 60, and Terese Gorenz, 60 with gunshot wounds. Based on evidence found at the scene investigators were able to determine that Edward Gorenz shot Terese Gorenz and then turned the gun on himself. Investigators are still looking into a possible motive. Covert Township Police Chief Jay Allen told The Herald-Palladium that the two died from injuries caused with a 12-guage shotgun. A note was found at the scene that appeared to be authored by the husband. Allen told them the reasons for the tragedy are unknown. A firefighter received a text from the phone of Terese Gorenz saying that they had been called home to God and to call 911, adding that the door was left open for first responders. The incident remains under investigation. The couple’s arrangements are being handled by Winkel Funeral Home of Otsego. The obituary states that they married in 1976 and had four children and seven grandchildren. Many have posted on the online obituary for the couple including former co-workers of Terese Gorenz, whom has worked at Coloma Harding’s. They spoke of her friendliness, her smile, and her beautiful spirit.

Hartford pair land in Van Buren County Jail after car chase that ended in Watervliet

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and Coloma Township Police Department assisted with a car chase that started in Van Buren County but ended in Watervliet. At approximately 7:05 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2018, the assisting authorities were notified of a vehicle pursuit. The vehicle, a 2003 Lincoln passenger vehicle proceeded into Berrien County via Red Arrow Highway. The chase went through Watervliet City and into the City of Coloma where Coloma Township Police Officers were successful in deploying tire deflating equipment (stop sticks) near the intersection of E. St. Joseph and E. Center streets. The vehicle pursuit continued through Coloma City, Coloma Township, Watervliet City and Watervliet Township, ending on Huntoon Avenue in Watervliet Township when the car got stuck in the snow in a private driveway. The two occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot. After a very short foot pursuit, both individuals were apprehended without incident. The driver of the vehicle, a 20-year-old male from the Hartford area and the passenger, a 26-year-old female from the City of Hartford were turned over to Van Buren County Sheriff deputies. The investigating agency is the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. It is unknown what the original reason was that lead to the pursuit. Watervliet woman arrested on warrant A Coloma Township Police officer received information about a wanted subject in the 300 block of E. St. Joseph. The officer was able to locate the subject, a 35-year-old Watervliet woman outside of a business in the same area. She was taken into custody without incident and lodged at the Berrien County Jail.

Watervliet man’s marijuana use leads to a citation

Coloma Township Police officers received information about a subject in a vehicle using marijuana behind a residence in the 200 block of S. Paw Paw Street. Officers located the vehicle and made contact with two occupants. The officers observed the odor of marijuana. One of the occupants, a 48-year-old Watervliet man, was found to be in possession of a plastic bag carrying marijuana. The subject was issued a misdemeanor appearance citation and was released. Men with outstanding warrants arrested in Watervliet Watervliet Police Officer Kusmierski while on standard patrol stopped a motor vehicle for an equipment violation. The driver of the vehicle, a 53-year-old man from Benton Harbor was found to be wanted by the Michigan State Police for an outstanding warrant and was found to be in possession of cocaine. In addition, his license was suspended. The passenger of the vehicle, a 43-year-old from Benton Harbor was found to have an arrest warrant from the Michigan State Police and upon officers making contact with him, he fled on foot. The individual was apprehended after a short foot race. No one received injuries in the race. Both men were lodged at the Berrien County Jail on their warrants and additional charges which will be reviewed by the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office. Hartford man injured in vehicle accident Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott reports that on January 19, 2018, Deputy Adam Dzwik was dispatched to the intersection of W. Saint Joseph St. and Paw Paw St. in the Village of Lawrence, Van Buren County for a two-vehicle personal injury crash. The crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. Friday evening. Initial reports indicated that a pickup truck rear ended a second pickup near the main intersection. A 56-year-old male driver was reported to have a severe head laceration and was bleeding uncontrollably. Several local residents and employees from two local eateries are credited with rendering aid and were able to control the significant bleeding. EMS arrived a short time later and transported the 56-year-old male to Bronson Kalamazoo to be treated for the head injury. Those who might have additional information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.