Suspect Wanted for Attempted First-Degree Murder Arrested in Battle Creek

Battle Creek, MI – A suspect wanted in connection with a September 2015 shooting in Marion County, Illinois, was arrested by a joint law enforcement task force Monday evening in Battle Creek, Michigan. The suspect, Charles D. Collins, is charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery.

Investigators from the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in East St. Louis, Illinois, became involved with the case soon after the warrant was issued. The investigation eventually led authorities to believe Collins was in Battle Creek. An ad hoc task force was created in Battle Creek comprised of the U.S. Marshals, the Michigan State Police 5th District Fugitive Team, and Battle Creek Police Department officers to track Collins down.

On Feb. 8, task force members conducted surveillance at a residence on Merritt Street in Battle Creek for several hours. The Battle Creek Police Department Emergency Response Team was utilized and eventually arrested Collins at 6:30 p.m. without incident after he came out of the house and surrendered.

Collins is being held at the Calhoun County Jail in Battle Creek and will be transported back to Illinois after several local charges against him are resolved. He is expected to appear in court in Calhoun County today.

The Michigan State Police 5th District Fugitive Team is comprised of state troopers from the 5th

District and an officer from the Battle Creek Police Department. The Marshals Fugitive Task Force in

Grand Rapids is comprised of officers from the Grand Rapids Police Department, the Michigan

Department of Corrections, the Wyoming Police Department, Troopers from the Michigan State Police,

and Deputy U.S. Marshals.