Law enforcement in four counties (Saginaw, Shiawassee, Bay & Genesee) are working together to connect a string of robberies, with two subjects lodged in the Saginaw County Jail. The two were spotted at the Marathon Gas Station on M-57 at M-13 by Montrose Police at approximately 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12, after a “be on the lookout” alert was issued by the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office. The alert was issued following an armed robbery at Gabe’s Grocery, 13025 Sheridan, in Saginaw County’s Taymouth Township.

Two Montrose Police officers confronted the two suspects. The situation became very dangerous; as one subject attempted to disarm one of the officers. Both Saginaw County Sheriff’s Deputies and Michigan State Police rushed to the scene to assist.

According to Montrose Township Police Chief Darrell Ellis, both Montrose officers involved were injured; one was transported by ambulance for medical attention. His injuries were treated and he returned to duty a couple days after the incident.

On Feb. 14, the two subjects arrested were arraigned in 70th District Court with Judge Christopher Boyd issuing the warrants in conjunction with armed robberies at the Admiral gas station in Chesaning Township, and Gabe’s Grocery in Taymouth Township; in addition to the assaults on the Montrose police officers.

According to the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office, Traymond Lee Beardsley, 31, of 762 Alaska St., Bridgeport, was arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, multiple charges of armed robbery, and assaulting a police officer causing injury.

Beardsley’s co-defendant, James Kerbleski, 28, of 2763 Seminole Ct., Bay City, was charged with the same four felonies, according to the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s office.

Both individuals have “extensive criminal records,” Chief Ellis stated, adding, “These robberies were starting to escalate and we’re excited to get them off the street.” Money had been recovered when the two suspects were apprehended, according to Chief Ellis.

Ellis talked about “good cooperation” with all the counties involved in the investigation.

The Montrose Police Department was also appreciative of the “overwhelming support and concern” shown by both members of the Montrose community and the law enforcement community as well. Ellis said, “We’d like to thank everyone for their prayers and concern for the officers involved.”

According to Lt. Randy Pfau of the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Department, the two defendants are believed to have been responsible for seven armed robberies in Saginaw County. Both Shiawassee County and Bay County law enforcers are reviewing evidence to determine whether these same subjects were involved in armed robberies in their regions as well.

On Thursday, Feb. 16, Detective Lt. David Kirk, of the Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Department, confirmed they were “pretty confident” that the two individuals arrested in Montrose were the same ones involved in two armed robberies in Shiawassee County; one within the City of Owosso on Jan. 8, and the other on “Super Bowl Sunday,” Jan. 29.

“From all indications they are all connected,” Det. Lt. Kirk stated. The armed robbery that occurred in Chesaning had striking similarities to those in Shiawassee County. He initiated contact with the Saginaw County Sheriff’s office.

Det. Lt. Kirk stated, “We are developing potential charges on another individual involved.”

“With the amount of agencies involved, it ended up being a good cooperative effort. It flowed nicely,” he commented.