Benton Township Police Department

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Benton Township Police Department The Benton Township Police Department is a 24/7/365 operational department. We currently serve 36 square miles inside of Berrien County.

Within our area, we have the county's largest business hub, miles of freeway, and a shoreline along Lake Michigan. THIS PAGE IS NOT MONITORED ON A 24 HOUR BASIS. IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 9-1-1. Post Comment Removal Policy
The Benton Township Police Department’s page was created by the department to facilitate the exchange of information with the public at large. To promote such exchange, the department encourages and welcomes postings and comments from the general public about issues related to law enforcement in Benton Township. With that said, however, the police department reserves the right to regulate the content of, and where necessary delete completely, any objectionable entry that appears on its fan page. The Benton Township Police Department is responsible for monitoring all postings to its page and at its sole discretion, to protect other fan page visitors from inappropriate or otherwise harmful information and links. To that end, the Benton Township Police Department will remove as soon as feasible any posting that involves:
-Advertisements of any kind
-Profane language or content
-Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.
-Explicit or implied sexual content
-Conduct implying, promoting, or encouraging illegal activity
-Information that might compromise the safety or security of the public
-Any other posting that, by its nature or content, might harm public welfare
-Comments/posts that are repetitive
-Comments that do not pertain to the original post

Our office is currently closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you need fingerprints done for a Benton Township case, please come to the station with your ID, mask, and whatever court paperwork you may have for that case. For FOIA Requests, please contact our FOIA coordinator, Olivia Davis. TX: 269-926-8221
Fax: 269-926-9533
Email: [email protected]

If you have an anonymous tip or information that would assist in an investigation, please contact the BTPD Detective Bureau at 269-925-1135 or Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP

10/06/2026

‼️FINAL UPDATE at 1:15 am‼️
All roads have been fully reopened.

❗️UPDATE AT 10:55 pm❗️
Anyone who evacuated may return home. Colfax is still partially closed but it is safe to be in the area.

For anyone inside the evacuation radius, St. Joseph Charter Township Fire Department Station #2 has opened their community room if you have no where else to go.

At this time the evacuation radius is 150 yards (one and a half football fields) from the intersection of Colfax and Elvern. Officers and fire fighters have gone door to door notifying individuals that are affected. The estimated time for repair is approximately 3 hours. If anything changes, we will advise.

**Please avoid the area of Colfax and Elvern. There’s an active gas leak. Officials are working to determine the extent of the leak and that will determine the extent of any evacuations.**

09/18/2026

**UPDATED PRESS RELEASE**
On September 17th, 2026, a 17-year-old male was arrested for this incident. He has been lodged at the Berrien County Juvenile Center on charges of Open Murder, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Felony Fi***rm. Due to his age, his name is being withheld at this time.
Respectfully,
D/Lt. Tiefenbach

*Original Release*
Date: September 11, 2026
Incident Type: Homicide
Location: Blossom Acres Housing Complex
Report #: 26-10437
On September 11th, 2026, at approximately 7:30 pm, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Blossom Lane and Concord for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, Officers located a 20-year-old male suffering from a gun shot wound. Aid was provided and the victim was transferred to Corewell Health for further treatment. Unfortunately, despite all efforts, the male succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Responding agencies included, the Michigan State Police, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Medic 1 ambulance and the Benton Township Fire Department
Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Benton Township Police Department at 269-925-1135, Crime Stoppers at (574)288-STOP or via the Benton Township Police Department page.
Respectfully,
D/LT. Tyler Tiefenbach
Benton Township Police Department

09/12/2026

**PRESS RELEASE**

Date: September 11, 2026
Incident Type: Homicide
Location: Blossom Acres Housing Complex
Report #: 26-10437

On September 11th, 2026, at approximately 7:30 pm, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Blossom Lane and Concord for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, Officers located a 20-year-old male suffering from a gun shot wound. Aid was provided and the victim was transferred to Corewell Health for further treatment. Unfortunately, despite all efforts, the male succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Responding agencies included, the Michigan State Police, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Medic 1 ambulance and the Benton Township Fire Department
Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Benton Township Police Department at 269-925-1135, Crime Stoppers at (574)288-STOP or via the Benton Township Police Department page.

Respectfully,
D/LT. Tyler Tiefenbach
Benton Township Police Department

08/21/2026

Halloween Train Rides Notice!!!

M 139 at Pipestone Road is unfortunately still under construction. MDOT has agreed to temporarily open the new roundabout for easier access for the train rides. The roundabout can be reached via Empire Avenue, either east or west bound. M 139 north to Benton Harbor will remain closed. Please see the attached map.

If you are heading north on M 139, turn left when you reach Pipestone. Take Pipestone to Empire and turn right at the stop light. Continue straight towards the new roundabout. The signs indicate the road is closed, but it is ok to take this route.

If you are traveling by way of Napier Avenue, turn onto Crystal Avenue. Take Crystal to Empire (headed west) and proceed to the roundabout.

If you are traveling from the Benton Harbor city limits, follow any remaining detours from the various road construction projects that have been going on this summer to Empire. Take Empire until you reach the new roundabout.

We realize this may sound a bit confusing, but it’s actually easier than it sounds. We apologize for this inconvenience, but it’s well beyond our control…😕

Hope to see you here!

08/05/2026

🛑🛑There’s a post going around on social media alleging that ICE is in Benton Harbor and was chasing someone down Union Ave. This allegation is false. ICE is not conducting any operations in our area and the incident portrayed was in regards to a separate investigation. If there are ever any questions about ICE being in the area, please don’t hesitate to ask. It’s better to know than assume!🛑🛑

07/30/2026

‼️Press Release‼️

On July 28th, 2026, just before 11 pm, officers were dispatched to 105 S. Fair for a report of shots being fired.
Upon arrival, officers found evidence of shots being fired, but were happy to find that no one had been hit by the gun fire.
Thanks to video surveillance in numerous different spots, detectives were able to track the suspect to a nearby apartment.
On July 29th, 2026, around noon, the suspect was taken into custody on numerous fi***rm charges. His name is being withheld pending arraignment. He is currently lodged at the Berrien County Jail.

The Benton Township Police Department was assisted by the Michigan State Police.

07/21/2026

Date of Release: July 21st, 2026
Date of Incident: February 4th, 2024
Location: 954 E. Empire

Victim: Jerry Wagner, 80, St. Joseph Township Resident

Call Type: Homicide Update

Suspect Information: Albert William Thomas, 75, Benton Harbor Resident

On July 20th, 2026, Albert William Thomas plead no contest to a charge of 2nd Degree Murder in regards to the death of Jerry Wagner. This is in reference to a homicide investigation from February 4th, 2024. Albert Thomas was identified as the suspect and apprehended shortly after the incident.
The Benton Township Police Department is thankful for the hard work and continued partnership with the Berrien County Prosecutor's Office, that was able to come up with this resolution. The Benton Township Police Department sends our continued condolences to Mr. Wagner’s family and friends.
Albert Thomas is set to be sentenced on August 31st, 2026 at 1:30 pm at the Berrien County Courthouse.

Respectfully,
D/Lt. Tyler Tiefenbach
Benton Township Police Department

07/17/2026

‼️3:30 all lanes are open

🚔🚔🚨🚨🚨I-94 is currently shut down in both directions. It’s shut down at the 33 mm westbound and 27 mm eastbound. Please fine an alternate route🚔🚔🚨🚨🚨 Benton Charter Township Fire Department Michigan State Police

‼️3:09 pm—EASTBOUND IS NOW OPEN…

07/09/2026

PRESS RELEASE
Date of Release: July 9th, 2026
Date of Incident: July 8th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Location: 1400 Block of Mall Dr.
Victim: 73 year old Coloma Resident
Call Type: Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash

Assisting Agencies: Michigan State Police, Benton Charter Township Fire Department, Berrien County Sheriff's Office Accident Reconstruction Team, Medic 1 Ambulance, Berrien County 911 - Michigan

On July 8th, 2026, officers were dispatched to the area of 1400 Mall Drive, in Benton Township, for a report of a car vs. motorcycle crash. Upon arrival officers located a 73 year old male laying on the ground with significant head trauma. He was transported to Corewell Health, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
The driver of the other vehicle was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation.
Preliminary investigation shows that the motorcyclist was traveling westbound when the second vehicle pulled into its path. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation; however drugs and alcohol do NOT appear to be a factor.

Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Benton Township Police Department at
269-925-8221 or via their page.

The names of the individuals involved will not be released at this time.

D/Lt. Tyler Tiefenbach
Benton Township Police Department

07/08/2026

🚨🚔🚨

Mall Dr., in front of Walmart and Lowe’s, is currently closed to traffic, due to a serious injury accident. Please avoid the area and find an alternate route.

Update:
The road is now open. A more detailed press release will be given in the morning.

Address

1725 Territorial Road
Benton Harbor, MI
49022

Telephone

+12699250616

Website

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