ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich.— Scams are everywhere; that’s why the Kent County Sheriff’s Department is holding a two-part workshop to help residents protect themselves.

The first session is noon on Tuesday, Aug. 12 at the Alpine Township Center, located at 5255 Alpine Ave. NW.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling Dawn at (616) 784-9622. 

The seminar is sponsored by Edward Jones and will address a variety of schemes, including credit card fraud, identity theft, phishing and computer hackers.  The program is free and includes a light lunch.  The second session will take place Aug. 19.

KENT COUNTY, Mich.—The sheriff department is warning residents about a scam that’s made its way into Kent County.

On June 16, a resident contacted the sheriff department to report a suspicious phone call.  The suspect masked their phone number so it appeared the phone call was coming from the Kent County Sheriff Department.  The predator told the victim the Kent County Sheriff Department had a warrant out for their arrest and they needed to pay hundreds of dollars to take care of the warrant.  The scammer also used an actual sheriff department employee’s name.  Fortunately, the victim thought the call was suspicious and contacted deputies.

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)--Four people have been arrested in connection with a series of thefts ofseveral high-priced items in West Michigan.

Kent County deputies and other investigators searched several homes and one business in Wyoming, Cadillac, Grand Rapids Township, Hastings, and the Grand Rapids area and recovered the stolen property. Property recovered includes a Triumph motorcycle, a Chevrolet Impala, a Yamaha golf cart, a 350 small block GM engine, compound bows, tools, golf clubs, antique military paraphernalia and a 20-gauge shotgun. Also recovered was a Borg Warner T10 4-Speed Transmission, which was described by the victim as being one of only twelve for sale in the country in its condition.

One of the four suspects is a juvenile. The others are described as being 17, 21, and 22 years old. More charges are expected in Newaygo and Montcalm counties.

The thefts occurred in the following areas: