Sheriff's Summary

By Christine Laughren
Mar. 7, 2009    ·    11:22 a.m.

Three fishermen fall through ice

The Sheriff's department was dispatched to two separate instances Friday of fishermen falling through the ice at 4 Mile Lake on Dexter Chelsea Road, in Lima Township.

The first incident occurred at approximately 7:50 a.m. when two fisherman fell through the ice. The Sheriff's report states, the fisherman arrived at 7:30 a.m., and while walking out on the ice one man fell through. His friend attempted to help him get out of the ice, but he too fell through.

The second man who fell through was able to get out, and ran to Dexter Chelsea Road to try to get help. He flagged down a passing car for help and the caller and fisherman came back to the lake, as his friend was still trying to get out of the water.

Finally the second fisherman was able to reach shore, and get out of the water safely. Huron Valley Ambulance transported the 60 and 69 year old Ypsilanti Township residents to the U of M Hospital.

The second incident occurred at approximately 12:50 p.m. on the same lake. The fisherman was able to climb out of the water, and get back to shore safely. Huron Valley Ambulance transported the 31 year old Monroe County resident to the U of M hospital.

All three men were treated for hypothermia, and a full recovery is expected.

The Sheriff's department also released a statement yesterday reminding residents to be cautious on the ice as the weather warms up.

Ice must be five inches thick to hold the weight of a person and eight inches thick for snowmobiles and off-road vehicles. With temperatures fluctuating wildly ice that was safe yesterday may be dangerous today.

“The biggest danger is hypothermia," Sheriff Jerry Clayton said. "If you fall through the ice and manage to climb out you need to seek medical assistance quickly.”

If you find yourself on thin ice remembering the following tips could save your life

- If you hear the ice crack, have your group spread out. Everyone should immediately lie down to distribute the weight on the ice more evenly, then crawl on your belly to safer ice.

- If someone falls through the ice, do not run to the hole. Call 911 and then use a pole, branch, rope, or other long object to try and reach the victim.

- If you fall through the ice, stay calm. Call out for help and kick your feet while getting hands and arms up onto safer ice. Ice picks or screwdrivers can help you get a grip on the ice. Continue to swim up onto the ice until you can crawl or roll out onto the ice to safety.

- Pets that go out on ice are a major cause for many near-drowning and deaths. If your pet has wandered onto dangerous ice, do not follow them. Stay where you are and coax them back to safety.

Car thief caught

A 17-year-old Saline Township resident was arrested and transported to the Washtenaw County Jail for stealing items from two cars Friday morning.

The first larceny occurred at approximately 8:20 a.m. Friday at the 5600 block of Meadow Drive, in Superior Township. The homeowner just came home, with the intentions of leaving right away.

Sheriff's reports say he came out of his house and saw a white male inside his vehicle. The suspect was scared off and got into a white car, and fled the scene with the victim's digital camera and a briefcase.

The responding deputy was still with the homeowner, when he overheard radio traffic of another larceny from auto with the same suspect vehicle.

The second incident occurred approximately 30 minutes later at the 2600 block of Southlawn, in Ypsilanti Township.

The homeowner saw a white male inside his vehicle removing items. When the homeowner yelled at him, and called 91 the suspect fled the scene east bound on Packard. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office dispatch informed other Law Enforcement Agencies of this suspect vehicle. Within minutes of the broadcast, Pittsfield Public Safety stopped the vehicle on Michigan Ave.

All of the stolen items from both incidents were recovered. The suspect will be arraigned later today.

Home Invasion/Armed Robbery

At approximately 11:45 a.m. Friday, deputies were dispatched by 911, to the 30 block of Oregon Street, in Ypsilanti Township for a burglary.

It was discovered the front door was kicked in, and two unknown males entered the residence armed with a hand gun, and demanding money. The suspects left in and unknown direction taking $500.00 in cash.

No one at the residence was injured. Indications are that the suspect specifically targeted the residence and this was not a random act of violence.