Police: Zalsman stole Huizenga's car

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - A sheriff's deputy, who shot a college student during a drug raid earlier this year, had his cruiser stolen last week, police tell 24 Hour News 8.

A deputy responded Oct. 9 to a domestic violence call near a residence on Unicorn Drive in Robinson Township. The deputy found a woman in a car and she said she had been arguing with her boyfriend, James Zalsman. A friend of the couple's told 24 Hour News 8 that the couple were fighting over a rent payment.

The deputy arrived and a foot chase ensued with Zalsman. Zalsman was able to elude the deputy and steal the police cruiser.

An onlooker offered the deputy his car and the deputy used it to chase the suspect, investigators said.

Police were able to surround Zalsman's vehicle and take him into custody.

Zalsman was arraigned Monday on nine counts, including two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of malicious destruction of police property.

Ottawa County Undersheriff Greg Steigenga told 24 Hour News 8 that Deputy Ryan Huizenga was involved in the foot chase with Zalsman, and it was Huizenga's car that Zalsman stole.

Steigenga said the "investigation is culminated" and "procedure was followed," thus no discipline was followed.

The night the incident occurred, sheriff's Lt. Steve Kempker said that, because the 911 call originated from a car, the incident was treated as a traffic stop and should have been. Kemper said that at a traffic stop, a deputy is expected to keep the car running to keep communications systems and emergency lights operating.

This isn't the first time Huizenga has made headlines this year. He shot Derek Copp March 11 during a  marijuana raid at Copp's apartment near Grand Valley State University in Allendale.

Huizenga was later sentenced to six months probation, $400 in fine and 80 hours of community service after pleading guilty to reckless discharge of a weapon, a misdemeanor. He returned to duty after a stint on paid administrative leave.

Copp was sentenced to probation, fines and community service. His roommate, Conor Bardallis, was charged with delivery or manufacturing marijuana and is awaiting trial.