The City of Hillsdale Police Department arrested a repeat offender on Sept. 20 for multiple counts of resisting an officer, among other charges.
According to a Hillsdale police press release, 39-year-old Shaun David Helton was arrested last Tuesday on two counts of resisting and obstructing police, domestic assault, aggravated stalking, violation of conditional bond, and two bench warrants for failing to appear. Police detained Helton on Sept. 20 after an incident near Union and River Streets. Helton is a known felon, last arrested in February for assault with a deadly weapon.
Seniors Kyle Kudla and Josh Peroni live kitty-corner to the scene of the arrest. Peroni said he witnessed Helton flee from a house after police confronted the suspect.
“I looked outside and there was a cop in their front yard. Then there were two cops on their porch, kind of hiding next to the door and knocking on it,” Peroni said. “I peeked through my blinds with a cup of coffee, videoing it for my friends. Other cops started coming in and then this guy started running out the back of the house up River Street.”
Police charged Helton with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, a 10-year felony in Michigan, after he allegedly stabbed a man at an auto parts store in February. The Jonesville native pleaded guilty in July for assault with a dangerous weapon and had a sentencing hearing set for August. Police have not confirmed if Helton’s recent arrest was related to this, though he was issued multiple bench warrants this week for failing to appear in court.
Peroni and Kudla said the college and police did not notify off-campus residents of the incident. The men praised the police for a job well done but added that nearby residents could benefit from more information.
“If we didn’t see it happen, I’d like to know that something happened right across the street,” Peroni said.
Helton’s bond violation hearing is set for Oct. 5. If the court finds that he violated bond conditions, Helton could be in jail until his original case is resolved.
The City of Hillsdale Police Department did not respond to a request for comment.