Grand Rapids officers took four individuals into custody Thursday night and confiscated multiple illegally possessed weapons following a call about a suspicious vehicle. As reported by WOOD TV, the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) responded around 8 p.m. to reports of a vehicle acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Beulah Street SE near Lafayette Avenue SE.
Upon arriving at the scene, GRPD found five individuals in the vehicle, and as officers approached, two fled on foot, leading to a pursuit with assistance from a police dog and a helicopter from the Michigan State Police, according to the account by FOX 17 News. After detaining the four – one woman and three men – law enforcement officials uncovered two rifles, three handguns, several loaded magazines, a quantity of ammunition, and a machete.
Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom expressed relief and gratitude following the incident, stating, "We are very thankful that an alert person called the police.” In a statement reported by WZZM 13, Winstrom added, “While we can’t know the intentions of these individuals, we do know the firearms were not legally possessed. We all share the responsibility of keeping our community safe and because this caller spoke up, multiple illegally-possessed firearms are off our streets."
The GRPD has yet to determine the intent behind the possession of the seized weapons. Investigations into the incident are currently underway, and authorities are seeking additional information. Anyone with knowledge about the case is being urged to contact GRPD detectives at (616) 456-3380 or provide tips anonymously through Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345 or their website.
