August 30, 2005 Pursuit of robbery suspect brings honor
THREE RIVERS — Kelly Vedder of Three Rivers never had a second thought when she drove after an armed robbery suspect earlier this month.
“My dad called me on a cell phone and told me about the robbery, the next thing I know I looked out the sliding class doors and there went the vehicle,” Vedder said. “I never thought mush about it I just took off after him.”
What she did next earned Vedder, 30, Citizen of the Month from The Sturgis Journal and Welch’s Steaks and Ribs.
According to police, 45-year-old Michael Landry walked into Gills Party Store Aug. 21 after pumping $40 gas, then picked up a case of beer and cigarettes. When a store employee asked for payment, Landry demanded cash and sprayed the worker with mace, then drove away, police said.
Vedder’s father was listening to a police scanner at the time and called his daughter, and gave her a description of the suspect vehicle. She got into her car and began to follow the vehicle, talking on the phone with her father, who was also on the phone with 911 Central Dispatch.
“At one point, he got nervous and pulled to the side of the road,” Vedder said. “So I just passed him and when I saw him turn down W Avenue, I turned around and continued to follow him.”
The chase went through Schoolcraft, when Vedder spotted a Vicksburg Police officer at the Kiwi gas station at Portage and W avenues.
“I told him, that’s the car you want,” Vedder said. “He went after him and went back home.”
What compelled Vedder to get involved?
“I do a lot of business at the little store,” she said. “I remember riding my bike to that store when I was a little girl.”
Landry remains in St. Joseph County Jail, where he faces robbery charges.