Alleged cruiser thief arraigned

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - James Zalsman, accused of stealing an Ottawa County Sheriff's Department cruiser, appeared by video in court Monday.

Allegedly, he stole the cruiser while the deputy was out of the car responding to a domestic disturbance call in Robinson Township on Friday. After a short chase, he was surrounded by other police and he surrendered. Zalsman damaged five patrol cars.

Police were called to the Unicorn Drive residence for a situation that quickly was escalating between Zalsman and his girlfriend, said David Cook, a family friend of Zalsman who was letting the couple live with him.

Zalsman and his girlfriend were fighting over paying rent, Cook said.

"And I'm thinking that's probably what started the whole fiasco Friday," he said. "Because they were pretty much fighting all day on Friday.

"He would not let her go. Everywhere she went, he followed. I said, James, man, let her go."

Zalsman has almost 20 prior convictions, including two counts of assaulting, resisting and obstructing police officers.

At his arraignment Monday, he requested to represent himself, but the judge said that was not a good idea. Zalsman faces nine counts, including two counts of assault with dangerous weapon and three charges for malicious destruction of police property.

Zalsman seemed disoriented and was unable to give the judge his home address. He tried saying he lived at West Olive Hospital, which the judge said doesn't exist.

His bond was increased to $150,000.

"I thought I knew him," Cook said. "I guess I was wrong."

Zalsman needs medical help, Cook added.

"I don't think there's any hope for him unless they get some good medication for him," he said. "He was bad to begin with, but he was deteriorating -- getting worse."

Zalsman's mother told 24 Hour News 8 on Saturday that although her son never has been diagnosed with a mental disability, she believes he needs help.