A man who was paroled just a little over a year ago after serving time for a home invasion in Allegan County, has been charged in a home invasion in northern Kent County.

According to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, they have investigated over 20 daytime home invasions, mainly in northern Kent County, since mid-April 2021. Through home surveillance systems and assistance from the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Frederick Alan Matthews, a 40-year-old male from Wyoming, was identified as the suspect.

Matthews was taken into custody by investigators on June 23 and found to be in possession of a victim’s property. He was placed under arrest and charged with Home Invasion 1st Degree, Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, and weapons charges. Bond was set at $50,000 cash/surety on the home invasion charge and $250,000 on the cocaine charge.

He is currently being held at the Kent County Correctional Facility. The investigation is ongoing.

Douglas Sawyer, 32, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after shooting a MSP Trooper. Courtesy photo.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) confirmed that a Houghton Lake Post trooper was shot at approximately 1:30 p.m. July 13 during a traffic stop in Lake Township in Missaukee County.

The preliminary investigation indicates the trooper stopped a vehicle occupied by three individuals (two males and a female). One male, a 32-year-old Fenton man, fled from the vehicle and began firing upon the trooper, and the trooper returned fire.

The trooper was struck several times. He was conscious and alert when transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot injuries. The gunman was deceased. The other two occupants, who remained in the vehicle, were taken into custody. 

The gunman was positively identified following an autopsy last weekend. The investigation confirmed he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after exchanging gunfire with the Trooper.

The 32-year-old Fenton man was identified as Douglas Robert Sawyer. Sawyer had prior arrests for home invasion, drug crimes, and weapons violations. At the time of this incident, the Parole Absconder had three valid warrants for his arrest. One was a Parole Absconder warrant resulting from his failure to comply with parole after a prison sentence for Home Invasion. The second was a felony warrant for Criminal Sexual Assault 4th Degree out of the Michigan State Police Paw Paw Post. The third was a civil warrant for child neglect.

The Houghton Lake State Police Post is very happy to report our Trooper has been released from the hospital after being treated for non-life-threatening gunshot injuries. He is resting with the support of family and friends. The Houghton Lake State Police Posts thanks the community and law enforcement partners for the outpouring of prayers, support, and well-wishes.

The Trooper’s name is not being released at this time. The incident is still under investigation.

Police responded to a report of a home invasion in the 13300 block of Larray Lane NE, in Northland Estates, shortly before 1 p.m. on Friday, April 21.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, the homeowner returned home and found the front door wide open and it appeared to have been forced. No one was home at the time. It is unknown whether anything was taken.

If anyone has any information, you can call Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or the Kent County Sheriff Office Detective Bureau at 616-632-6125.

Branden Miller

A Montcalm County man was arrested on Thursday, December 31, and remains behind bars, for breaking into a family member’s home and damaging property.

According to the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office, the call came in to Montcalm Central Distpatch at 9:34 p.m., December 31 (New Year’s eve). The caller, a 67-year-old Crystal woman, said that a family member, later identified as Branden Miller, 26, of Crystal, had broken into her home, in the 8000 block of East Sidney Road, in Crystal Township.

Police said the investigation showed that Miller was intoxicated and tried to find the woman’s car keys. When she tried to stop him, Miller shoved her to the floor, causing her to suffer some minor injuries. Police said that Miller took a bottle of alcohol from the home when he left, and went to a nearby home where he was apprehended without further incident.

Miller has been charged with First Degree Home Invasion and Malicious Destruction of Property Less than $200.00. He remains behind bars on a $5500.00 cash/surety bond.

Montcalm County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted in the arrest by Carson City Police and the Michigan State Police.

Zachary Bird

A nineteen-year-old Stanton man was arrested and jailed on Sunday for a home invasion he committed over the weekend.

According to the Montcalm County Sheriff Office, they encountered the suspect, Zachary Allen Bird, 19, on Sunday, in response to a report he was not wanted at the home of a relative on Evergreen Street in Sheridan. Through the investigation it was learned that the Stanton man was in possession of several items, including a firearm and other belongings that did not belong to him.

A short time later, a home invasion on the
200 block of Grant Street in Sheridan was reported. A neighbor who was watching the home for the homeowner noticed a door open and called 911. Deputies determined that the items possessed by the Stanton man were those stolen during the home invasion on Grant Street. Much of the stolen property was recovered and will be returned to the homeowner.

The suspect was lodged in the Montcalm County Jail on a charge of Home Invasion. He was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of Home Invasion First Degree and Receiving/Concealing a Weapon, both felony charges. He is being held on a $50,000.00 cash or surety bond.

The Howard City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance on a home invasion that occurred Tuesday, February 4, in Reynolds Township.

The crime occurred in the 11000 block of N. Whitefish Road. Police said that the suspect(s) forced entry by breaking a hole through an outside wall and into the interior of the residence. A shallow well pump and water pressure tank was disassembled from the plumbing and stolen. It is possible the suspect(s) used a snowmobile to reach the seasonal home.

Anyone with information about this larceny or the stolen items should contact Howard City Police Department at 231-937-4311.

Kelly Dietz

David Dietz

The Kent County Sheriff’s Department has arrested two men and a woman in connection with an armed home invasion in Casnovia May 25.

The crime occurred in the early morning hours of May 25, in the 300 block of N. Main Street, in the Village of Casnovia. The suspects were caught on the victim’s surveillance video. The police released the film to media, which featured the two men, and the public then identified the suspects. Warrants were then issued for David Elvin Dietz, 31, and Earnest Dominque Dilworth, 29.

Dietz was arraigned on May 31 on charges of home invasion-first degree, conspiracy to commit home invasion-first degree, felony firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, and being a habitual offender-fourth notice. Bond was set at $250,000.

Earnest Dilworth

Dilworth was arraigned on charges of home invasion-first degree, conspiracy to commit home invasion-first degree and being a habitual offender, second notice. Bond was set at $75,000.

After further investigation, detectives determined that Dietz’s wife, Kelly Dietz, was also involved in the home invasion and acted as the look-out. Police arrested her and she was arraigned on June 3 on charges of home invasion-first degree and conspiracy to commit home invasion-first degree. Bond was set at $25,000 and she bonded out the same day.

Any witnesses that saw all three suspects together are asked to call the Kent County Sheriff Department at (616) 632-6125 or Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.

Kent County Sheriff investigators have identified and arrested two subjects in connection with numerous daytime home invasions that have occurred over a four-month period.

Arrested was Patrick Arthur Keeshan, 42, of Grand Rapids, and Marwan Hassan Tawachi, 31, of Gowen.

Patrick Keeshan

Marwan Tawachi

Authorities said that the offenses have occurred all over Kent County and neighboring Ionia County, and that much of the stolen property was pawned or sold. Detectives are still attempting to identify additional victims. It is believed the two are responsible for more than 30 Home Invasions that targeted jewelry.

Keeshan was charged with two counts of Home Invasion 2nd Degree, one count of Resisting and Opposing an Officer, habitual offender-3rd offense, and habitual offender-4th offense. Bond was set at $50,000.

Tawachi was charged with two counts of Home Invasion 2nd Degree, habitual offender-3rd offense, and habitual offender-4th offense. Bond was set at $50,000.

Kent County Sheriff Deputies are investigating a series of home invasions that took place in Algoma Township last Thursday during daylight hours.
According to police, the crimes took place on Thursday, November 17, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. They occurred in the 12600 block of White Creek Ave, 11300 block of Summit Ave and 8400 block of Wolven Ave.
Police said that the owner of the Wolven home interrupted suspects at approximately 11:30 a.m. The suspects said they were looking for a construction company. They are described as 2 black males with no facial hair, medium build, approximately 6 feet tall. The vehicle is described as a dull red compact car.
Items stolen from the homes include coins, cash, electronics and jewelry.
Police said remind residents to keep all exterior door and windows locked, including the exterior doors of your garage.
If you have any information or if you observe any suspicious activity, contact the Kent
County Sheriff’s Department at 632-6100.

The Kent County Sheriff Department is seeking the suspects responsible for at least one and maybe more home invasions in northern Kent County last week.
Police took a report on September 8 of a home invasion in the 11600 block of 16 Mile Road, another on September 9 in the 1500 block of Hull Street, and another in the 3300 block of 20 Mile Road.
According to Detective Justin DeBoode, the home invasions took place during daylight hours, and in one case, two suspects were seen by the homeowner. One of the suspects knocked on the door, and the homeowner, thinking it was someone selling something, didn’t answer it.  A short time later he heard a noise downstairs, and found a man climbing through the window. He was described as a black male, mid 20s, medium build, with short hair. The homeowner also saw a second suspect, a white female, age 30-40, medium build, who had shoulder-length black hair.
The couple got away in a light tan or bronze mid-size SUV.
If you have any information, please call the Kent County Sheriff Department at (616) 632-6100 or Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.

The Kent County Sheriff Department is looking for a man that broke into a home on White Creek Avenue in Solon Township Monday morning and then assaulted an elderly relative who arrived on the scene.

According to Det./Sgt. Marc Burns, a 77-year-old relative of the homeowner arrived at the house in the 17000 block of White Creek Avenue, near 20 Mile Road, about 11 a.m., as the suspect was exiting the home. The suspect attacked the victim, and then fled with several items from the home. The victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

The suspect is described as a black male, 30-35 years old, approximately 6 feet tall, with a large build. The vehicle he used was described as a gray, newer style passenger car.

Anyone with information about this incident or suspect is asked to call the Kent County Sheriff Investigative Division at (616) 632-6125, or Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.