SOUTH HAVEN, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Police in South Haven are reporting that three suspects accused of retail fraud have been arrested after a search.
Police responded to a call from a citizen Tuesday for a report of three males carrying suspected stolen merchandise in the area of the Ravines Trailer Park.
Once officers found the vehicle, two of the five occupants fled on foot into a heavily wooded wetland area nearby.
During a two-hour area manhunt involving the use of K-9 unit Ryker, the suspects had attempted to swim through a river to throw officers off the trail, but were ultimately unsuccessful.
The first suspect is described as a 40-year-old Holland man. He was wanted as a parole absconder and will face charges relating to felony retail fraud and resisting and obstructing police.
The second suspect is described as a 33-year-old Benton Harbor man. He will face charges of felony retail fraud.
The third suspect is described as a 25-year-old South Haven man and will face misdemeanor charges of retail fraud and resisting and obstructing police.
All three suspects were lodged at the Van Buren County Jail in Paw Paw to await arraignment.
The department notes that this case is a good example of what can happen when the community works together with police.
