Michigan State Police are looking for a suspect after someone shot up the “Welcome to Pure Michigan” sign on the side of US-31 at the Michigan-Indiana state line in Bertrand Township over the weekend.
MSP Lieutenant DuWayne Robinson tells us the sign was shot 18 times with a rife from its north side. That is, the shooter was facing oncoming traffic as they shot up the sign.
Robinson says this isn’t your standard vandalism.
“It’s extremely serious,” Robinson said. “This is nothing short of an act of violence against the public. As you know, we have families and truckers, just ordinary drivers using that roadway at all times of the day and night. I use it, my family uses it, and we all deserve to travel in peace and not in terror.”
Robinson says with the I-75 shootings in Kentucky this past weekend, state police are taking this seriously. The crime could mean stiff penalties.
“We have A, the vandalism part. Then B, we have reckless use of a firearm, which is a misdemeanor itself. So the person that’s responsible for this, they could face up to a five-year prison sentence and up to a $10,000 fine.”
Robinson says the damage to the sign was noticed on Saturday. The Michigan Department of Transportation says the cost to replace the sign will be about $4,000 with installation included.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact Michigan State Police in Paw Paw or Niles. Robinson says the incident is “senseless and ridiculous.” He tells us it’s important for police to find whoever is responsible and hold them accountable.
