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Area police chief charged with stalking woman
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Thursday, May 10, 2007 11:39 AM EDT
CORUNNA - Perry and Brady Township Police Chief Larry Briggs was arrested and pleaded not guilty on a charge of stalking Wednesday.
An investigation conducted by the Owosso Police Department began April 2006 after a 19-year-old Owosso woman cited numerous unwelcome phone calls from Briggs, according to a report received under the Freedom of Information Act from the Owosso Police Department.
After turning himself in Briggs was arraigned in front of Judge Terrance Dignan of the 66th Judicial District Court Wednesday. He was released on a $200 bond.
Owosso Public Safety Director Mike Compeau said a conviction carries one year of jail time and/or a $1,000 fine, and up to five years probation.
The report states Briggs called the woman 37 times between April 12 and April 19 of 2006.
The alleged harassment began after the Owosso resident made a complaint with the Perry Police Department concerning a custody issue she was involved in. According to the report, Briggs told the investigator the calls were related to the custody case and regarding the woman asking to go for a ride along.
The woman told investigators Briggs commented on her appearance, telling her she was “beautiful” and “hot” and called numerous times a day. In the report she said she had not requested a ride along with Briggs.
The report also included interviews with two other women who said Briggs had made inappropriate comments to them while he was Chief of Police in Elsie but neither filed charges.
How this will affect Briggs' career is still uncertain.
Perry Mayor Ross DeLau said he has placed Briggs on administrative leave and appointed Sgt. Kyle Bawks as interim chief. He added monitoring of the situation will continue.
Brady Township Supervisor Ron Gasper said no one else had been assigned to the police chief's post but also refused to comment.
JEAN wrote on Oct 21, 2009 10:48 PM: