Tornado-Wreaked Businesses: Two Suspects Arrested for Theft in Portage, Kalamazoo County Increases Patrols

On Wednesday, May 8 around 9:30 p.m., two individuals were reportedly taken into custody for allegedly stealing items from a tornado-damaged business in the 2000 block of West Centre Avenue in Portage, according to information provided by the Portage Department of Public Safety. The police department confirmed that the business owner had requested that charges be brought against the suspects.

The tornado that hit the area on May 7 caused significant destruction to businesses and homes in the area. Among those affected were a smoke shop, Pizza Hut, State Farm office, barbershop, and other establishments in the damaged building. One of the suspects, an 18-year-old man from Galesburg, was taken into custody and transported to the Kalamazoo County Jail. Charges of breaking and entering a building with the intent to commit larceny were authorized by the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office. The second suspect, a juvenile female from Kalamazoo, was released to her parents pending further legal proceedings.

In response to the recent storm and the incident of theft, the PDPS Police Division is planning to increase patrols in areas of the city that were most affected by the tornado. For more details on the tornadoes that struck Portage on Tuesday, additional information can be found by clicking here.