KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) –Arraignment is expected today for a Gun Plain Township man who allegedly robbed and firebombed his way across Kalamazoo County on Tuesday, as bits and pieces of his story are getting out.
One report claims the robbery at the Citgo gas station involved the theft of $10 in gas. There was no cash involved.
There are new allegations, so far unsubstantiated, that the suspect, Matthew Steppenwolf, may have also also set a home on G Avenue on fire before he allegedly firebombed and shot up a home on Monterey Drive, where police say he wounded a women.
It’s not clear why it was those specific addresses.
Kalamazoo Public Chief Jeff Hadley said there were no communications miscues even though the suspect crossed over into several different jurisdictions during his travels. Kalamazoo County Sheriff Rick Fuller says dispatchers from the city, the township and the county were able to track and hand off the information because they are all currently located in the same room.
Police agencies were preparing a request for an active shooter alert when Steppenwolf was arrested.
WOOD-TV is reporting Steppenwolf got his unusual last name from his grandfather, a convicted serial killer who after five murders, changed his name from Larry Ranes to Monk Steppenwolf.
He also has a granduncle who was convicted of four murders, named Danny Ranes.
Both are serving life in Michigan prisons.
