No charges in missing Musk Hts PD money

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WOOD) - Though tens of thousands of dollars are missing from the Muskegon Heights Police Department's evidence locker, no charges will be filed in a case that began nearly three years ago.

The investigation began in March 2010 when then-acting Police Chief Ron Rake asked the Michigan State Police to look into possible discrepancies into money received by the Muskegon Heights PD.

Rake resigned shortly after he asked the MSP to investigate.

At that time, then-Muskegon County prosecutor Tony Tague told 24 Hour News 8, "I was shocked at the disarray of that room and certainly the lack of standards -- and that is something the state police will be analyzing."

The evidence room in the basement of the department building was a huge mess. Investigators said it's what they didn't find that was concerning: Money taken as evidence -- some of which may have belonged to crime victims -- was nowhere to be found.

Now, in a letter obtained by 24 Hour News 8, the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office said no charges will be filed because there is insufficient evidence to prove specific individuals committed a crime. There is no way to tell where the money went or if it was used appropriately by the department.

Even if they could prove the money was misused, prosecutors said, so many people had access to the evidence room it would not be possible to narrow the field of suspects.