DOG FIGHTING ARRESTS

DEPUTIES FROM JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ARRESTED THREE MICHIGAN CENTER MEN EARLIER THIS WEEK AND THEY ARE FACING DOG FIGHTING AND ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO CHAZ'S LANDING IN MICHIGAN CENTER FOLLOWING UP ON REPORTS OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT. ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORTS TWO WOMEN TRIED TO PLACE TWO DACHSHUND DOGS WITH A COUPLE OF THEIR CASUAL MALE FRIENDS. THE TWO MEN TOOK THE SMALL DOGS AND THREW THEM IN A FENCED IN AREA WITH TWO PIT BULLS WHICH BEGAN TO ATTACK THE SMALL DOGS. ONE OF THE WOMEN WENT IN AND RESCUED THE TWO SMALL DOGS AND THEN CALLED 911. WHEN THE DEPUTIES ARRIVED THE TWO MEN JUMPED OUT A WINDOW AND RAN AWAY. AFTER A HALF HOUR THE TWO MEN WERE CAUGHT. POLICE SAY THE TWO 20 YEAR OLD MEN FROM MICHIGAN CENTER AND AN 18 YEAR OLD MAN ALSO FROM MICHIGAN CENTER WERE ALL INVOLVED IN THIS ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE. ONE OF THE SUSPECTS WHO RAN FROM POLICE HAS FOUR OUTSTANDING WARRANTS THE OTHER IS A PAROLE ABSCONDER. ALL THREE ARE IN JAIL FACING MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

TODAY (THURSDAY) THE JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RELEASED THESE DETAILS ON THOSE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CASE.

Undersheriff Tom Finco released the names of the three subjects from Michigan Center involved in the Animal Cruelty on Tuesday, May 5, 2009. The first subject in custody is Robert Alexander Matthews 20 years old from Michigan Center. He was arraigned on May 6, 2009 on outstanding charges of Sex Offender Failed to Register, Home Invasion and two Failure to Appear in Court warrants.

The second subject is Gerald Anthony Harvel, 20 years old also from Michigan Center. Harvel was wanted as a Parole Absconder from the Lansing area. The third subject is identified as Terry Lee Nickles 18 years old from Michigan Center.

On May 7, warrants were issued for Matthews and Nickles for Animal Fighting a four year felony. Harvel was charged with Resisting and Obstructing a two year felony. All three subjects are awaiting arraignment later today.