A former detective for the Lincoln Township Police Department has been charged with several felonies for allegedly falsifying salvage vehicle inspections.
The Michigan Attorney General’s office says Lieutenant Johnathan Chase of Stevensville was arraigned Wednesday before Judge Charles LaSata in Berrien County’s 5th District Court. He faces eight counts of false certification, two counts of using a computer to commit a crime, and one count of misconduct in office — charges that carry potential penalties of up to seven years in prison.
According to the Attorney General, the 54-year-old Chase, who was the only officer authorized to conduct salvage vehicle inspections for the Lincoln Township Police Department, submitted multiple falsified inspection forms to the Michigan Department of State. The inspections are meant to ensure rebuilt vehicles are safe and free of stolen parts.
The Michigan State Police Southwest Commercial Auto Recovery Team investigated the case and referred it to the Attorney General’s Focused Organized Retail Crime Enforcement Team.
Chase is scheduled to appear in court again on October 31.
