On Wednesday, May 8 at approximately 9:30 p.m., two individuals were reportedly taken into custody for allegedly stealing items from a tornado-damaged business in Portage, according to information provided by the Portage Department of Public Safety. The specific business that was targeted was not disclosed by the authorities.
The incident took place in the 2000 block of West Centre Avenue, which saw significant destruction due to the tornado that hit the area on May 7. This block included a smoke shop, Pizza Hut, State Farm office, barbershop, and other establishments. The police department confirmed that two individuals were found within the damaged business and were found in possession of stolen items. The business owner requested that charges be brought against the suspects.
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.