STURGIS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Sturgis Police are releasing more information on the arrest of an armed and dangerous father that prompted an Amber Alert late Wednesday night.
Authorities were called to a home in the 100 block of Pioneer Avenue just after 10:00 p.m. Wednesday after reports of a domestic assault, but the suspect, 37-year-old Fernando Cruz, was not there.
An officer then spotted his vehicle and attempted to pull him over, but Cruz took off toward the state line.
Sturgis Police followed Cruz into LaGrange County and Indiana police joined in and later took over the chase when authorities were notified that 3 young children were inside the vehicle.
The father then quickly retreated back into Michigan in western St. Joseph County where Indiana police backed off and Michigan police were unable to relocated Cruz’s vehicle.
As they continued searching, authorities later learned that Cruz was allegedly armed with a handgun and threatened to harm himself and the children with the weapon or by driving his vehicle into a tree with the children onboard.
This was when the Amber Alert was issued around 3 a.m. Thursday for 5-year-old Chelsey Lopez, 4-year-old Matteo Nieves, and 2-year-old Aldo Cruz.
Cruz was first believed to be driving a maroon 2009 Chevy Traverse but it was later determined that it was black vehicle with a Michigan license plate of DWH9204.
Just before 8 a.m. Thursday Sturgis Police received a tip from an Elkhart County Indiana deputy that Cruz returned back to his home on Pioneer Avenue.
They contacted the suspect by phone and after a short series of negotiations, he surrendered peacefully to officers.
The 3 children were located safe in the home and the Amber Alert was canceled.
Cruz was arrested at the scene and is facing multiple felony charges.
He is currently being held in the St. Joseph County Jail with no bond until his arraignment.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
STURGIS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — An Amber Alert has been issued for three children from Sturgis.
Police need your help finding 37-year-old Fernando Cruz who removed his three children from their residence in Sturgis around 10 p.m. Wednesday, and made comments that he was going to harm them and himself.
He is considered armed and dangerous.
Cruz was last seen driving a black 2009 Chevy Traverse with a Michigan license plate of DWH9204. It was originally thought the vehicle was maroon in color.
The children are four year old Matteo Nieves, wearing red shorts and a blue t-shirt, five year old Chelsey Lopez, wearing a pink t-shirt and blue pajama pants, and two year old Aldo Cruz, wearing a blue t-shirt and a diaper
Investigators also believe Cruz has crossed into Indiana and that his last known location was near Fremont.
If you see Cruz, the children or the SUV, please give 911 a call immediately and tell police.
