COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Lansing man has been charged after authorities say he got into a confrontation with a Union City police officer and caused nearly $2,800 worth of a damage to a Union City patrol unit on Monday night.
38-year-old James Joe Earls has been charged with malicious destruction of police or fire property as well as resisting and obstructing a police officer.
Additional charges are pending lab results after police say they found methamphetamine in his possession.
The incident took place after police was called to the P and S Food Mart on a report of a suspicious person.
According to Branch County court documents, Earls was placed in the back of a Union City patrol car when he allegedly kicked officer Travis Ferry causing Ferry to suffer a bruised leg.
Union City Police Chief Chris Mathis says the suspect then damaged to the back of the brand new patrol car which the village purchased this summer.
Bond during a Branch County District Court arraignment on Wednesday for Earls was set at $25,000 with no ten percent allowed.
A probable cause hearing was scheduled for October 13 with a preliminary exam set for October 20.
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