COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Police agencies around Branch County are hoping the New Year’s holiday weekend will be peaceful and quiet after a very hectic week.
There were three incidents of individuals acting unstable and erratic in three days around Branch County.
The first took place Tuesday night when 22-year-old Steven Mertz was arrested after he allegedly acted erratically and got into a physical confrontation with three police officers in the 100 block of West Chicago in Coldwater. One officer suffered abrasions to his hand. Mertz was formally charged with six counts on Thursday.
Michigan State Police continue to investigate a Wednesday incident in Bethel Township where they say 26-year-old Caleb Campbell wanted police to shoot him before he allegedly set his residence on fire. Campbell was taken to the Community Health Center of Branch County for treatment.
Police from several agencies had to set up a perimeter on the west side of Coldwater Thursday night after a man shot his dog to death and broke into a neighbors’ apartment. Police went inside after the man did not respond. They found him unresponsive but he was not injured. The man was taken to the Community Health Center of Branch County. A report will be turned into the Branch County Prosecutors Office to determine if any criminal charges will be filed.
