SKANDIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Skandia Township man has been arrested on domestic violence and unlawful imprisonment charges after hours of negotiation with police.
Around 8:50 p.m. on Saturday, the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police (MSP) responded to an animal bite complaint involving two residences on Carlshend Road. A neighbor of Kyle Beauchemin reported that his donkey was attacked by one of Beauchemin’s dogs. A Sheriff’s Office deputy and a State Police trooper attempted to make contact with Beauchemin at his home, but there was no answer. The officers left the location, pending contact with him.
Around 9:50 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office and MSP were dispatched to Beauchemin’s residence for a domestic/hostage situation. It was reported that Beauchemin was inside with four children, his girlfriend, and an estimated 28 pit bull mix dogs in and around the residence.
An investigation led to the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office obtaining an arrest warrant for Beauchemin and a search warrant for his residence. The Michigan State Police Emergency Support Team was activated to assist in resolving the situation.
Around 5:00 a.m. the next day, trained negotiators began attempting to get Beauchemin to exit the residence peacefully. Negotiations continued until approximately 10:50 a.m., when officials made a tactical entry into the home. Beauchemin resisted arrest and assaulted some of the MSP Emergency Support Team troopers.
Beauchemin’s girlfriend and children were uninjured. One of the dogs had to be dispatched during entry into the residence.
Beauchemin was taken into custody in the Marquette County Jail. He was arraigned Monday afternoon in the 96th District Court on charges of unlawful imprisonment and domestic violence. His bond was set at $500,000 for the unlawful imprisonment charge and 10% of a $500,000 bond for the domestic violence charge.
The incident remains under investigation. The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office and MSP were assisted by the Forsyth Township Police, Sands/West Branch EMS, Forsyth Township EMS, UPHS-EMS, Community Covenant Church, and UPAWS.
