State Police in Michigan and Indiana are joining forces with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department in the search for a dark blue or black Mazda CX9 station wagon missing from a crime scene in Niles where a woman was murdered in her own home.
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey says that the vehicle, similar to the one shown in the photo above, bears Michigan license plate CMY 3721, and was stolen from the Niles couple following a home invasion early last evening as they arrived home around 6pm.
The home, in the 1400 block of Lawndale in Niles Township, is still the focus of the investigation while all points bulletins have been issued regarding the vehicle which was reportedly stolen by two black men who the husband says shot his wife before escaping the home.
Authorities are asking anyone who sees the vehicle in question to call 9-1-1, the State Police or the Sheriff’s Department and identify where you have seen the car.
The woman died at the scene, despite efforts to revive her. The husband was unharmed in the attack and is working with police to help develop clues in the homicide.
Sheriff Bailey says that the Homicide Task Force and the State Police Violent Crimes Task Force are involved in the ongoing investigation.
*****UPDATE*****UPDATE*****Friday, August 18, 2017
This vehicle has been found according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department. Here’s their statement this morning:
The 2008 Mazda CX-9 with MI Registration (CMY 3721) that was reported stolen at the scene of this incident has been recovered. It was found abandoned in a corn field off of Yankee Street in Cass County. The vehicle has been impounded and investigators are working to retrieve any evidence from the vehicle or its contents. The incident remains under investigation and more information will be provided as it comes available.
We want to thank the public for their efforts in helping us recover this vehicle and ask for their continued support and information as this investigation continues.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at (269) 983-7141 extension #7224 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-342-STOP (7867).
