Otsego couple identified in Watson Township crime spree

A 34-year-old man and 21-year-old woman, both from Otsego, have been arrested by Allegan County Sheriff’s deterctives and deputies in connection with three break-ins and two burglaries in Watson Township.

Authorities said the boyfriend and girlfriend, Kenneth Lapham and Haley Jenkins, were charged with breaking and entering, UDAA, felon possession of a firearm, felony firearm, and breaking and entering and UDAA, respectively.

The two were involved in three break-ins and two stolen automobiles Thursday, Aug. 4, beginning at about 8 a.m. when the suspect’s sister reported she arrived home to her residence in Watson and observed that her sister and sister’s boyfriend had been inside her home. The suspects fled the scene when discovered. Deputies began looking for the couple and the suspect’s vehicle.

Deputies were summoned to another residence in Watson after a victim returned home around 3:30 p.m. and found the home had been broken into.  Food and a handgun had been stolen, along with the victim’s Chevrolet Impala.

Deputies were dispatched to a third residence around 5:30 p.m. when a victim reported finding a revolver, small amount of money and a Dodge Ram pickup had been stolen. The stolen Chevrolet Impala from the earlier break-in was left at the scene.

Authorities spotted the stolen Dodge pickup at about 9:30 p.m. at the male suspect’s home, where both suspects were arrested without incident. It was later determined that they had crashed their car in Watson Township prior to stealing the Chevrolet Impala.

The suspects are lodged in the Allegan County Corrections Center. Their rraignment i9n Allegan County District Court took place Monday.