(STURGIS TOWNSHIP) – The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department is investigating the theft of an automobile.

Sheriff Mark Lillywhite says his deputies were called to the 25,000 block of U.S. 12 in Sturgis Township on a report of a stolen vehicle. The automobile is a black, 1997 Chevy Blazer with a spare tire on the back hatch and a Michigan registration plate of DWH9178. It was stolen between 6 PM on June 11 and 7 AM June 12 and is still believed to be in the Sturgis area.

Lillywhite says deputies are also investigating the larceny of a catalytic converter from a Jeep, which was parked at the Portage Lake Public Access in the 52,000 block of Silver Street in Mendon Township. The theft occurred between 10:30 PM n June 12 and 3:30 AM on June 13.

Anyone with information regarding these cases is asked to contact Deputy Mark Mellinger at 269-467-9045, extension 315.