Recent actions by law enforcement agencies in Northeast Michigan. This has been only lightly edited.

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Feb. 20-March 5

PRESQUE ISLE COUNTY

COs Sidney Collins and Paul Fox completed a bull elk cold case from 2018 in Presque Isle County. An anonymous tip led the COs to a dead bull on state land with its antlers cut off back in 2019. After a lengthy investigation, the COs were able to identify the suspects. The suspects were interviewed, charged, and after a plea arrangement with the local prosecutor were ordered to pay restitution costs of $5,000.

CO Paul Fox and PCO Lisa Taube received a call from a concerned citizen about an abandoned vehicle on state land in northern Presque Isle County. The COs arrived on scene and investigated the vehicle. A check of the vehicle determined that it was stolen out of Presque Isle County. The COs secured the vehicle, notified the local sheriff’s department, and waited for a wrecker to arrive and impound the vehicle. The investigation was turned over to the local sheriff’s department.

MONTMORENCY COUNTY

CO Dan Liestenfeltz and PCO Lisa Taube were patrolling Montmorency County when they received an in-progress trespass complaint. The COs responded to the scene to speak with the homeowner. The complainants stated that a group of hunters with dogs were on their property near their house, and they heard a possible gunshot. The complainants then stated there was a brief verbal altercation and then the hunters left. CO Liestenfeltz knew of a hunter who used dogs that lived very close to the location. The COs spoke to that subject and after a very brief interview the COs were able to determine that a bobcat had been shot on the property by a different hunter. The COs then located the residence where the hunter was staying. It was determined that the hunters knew the property was private and did not get proper permission before entering. The COs investigated the scene and determined that the hunter was also within the safety zone of two separate residences and the hunter walked directly past a “No Trespassing” sign. After speaking with all homeowners and suspects, the bobcat was seized and placed into evidence. Charges were submitted to the Montmorency County Prosecutor’s Office for recreational trespass and two separate safety zone violation charges. Restitution is also being sought for the illegal bobcat.

ALPENA COUNTY

CO Jessie Curtis participated in career day at Hinks Elementary School in Alpena County. CO Curtis spoke on conservation and the outdoors to several classes from kindergarten through 5th grade.