Corey VanSuilichem

The man police believe was responsible for as many as 19 home invasions in and around the Bostwick Lake area last summer will spend at least 9 months in prison for his crimes.

According to Kent County Sheriff Detective Mike Tanis, Judge J. Rossi sentenced Corey James VanSuilichem, 33, to a minimum of 112 months to a maximum 20 years in prison, with credit for time served of 233 days.

The Kent County Sheriff’s Department was investigating numerous nighttime home invasions in Cannon Township, last summer, specifically the Bostwick Lake area, where purses and wallets were stolen. Police arrested VanSuilichem when they saw him on video exiting a vehicle at the Marathon gas station on 14 Mile Rd (near Lincoln Lake Ave) that had been stolen in a Grandville home invasion. 

He was sentenced on charges of receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle, and two counts of home invasion, as part of a plea agreement. Several other charges were dropped.

VanSuilichem previously served nine years on prison, from 2003 to 2012, for four counts of home invasion and one count of larceny from a motor vehicle for crimes committed in Ottawa County. 

In February 2017, he was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years probation for maintaining a drug house in Belding, because he was growing more marijuana than allowed on his card. And, as of June 30, 2017, he was listed as a probation absconder.

The Kent County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to the area of the U.S. Post Office on Cherry Street, in Cedar Springs, on Monday evening, November 13, at about 8:55 p.m., to a large fight involving 10-15 people.

According to Sgt. Joel Roon, there were conflicting statements as to who started the fight. Minor injuries were reported, and a 57-year-old female was transported with injuries for additional evaluation. The case is still open and active. Prosecutor review on charges is pending.

By Judy Reed

A few weeks ago we reported that the Kent County Sheriff’s Department was investigating numerous nighttime home invasions in Cannon Township, specifically the Bostwick Lake area, where purses and wallets were stolen. Police believed the suspect was the same person they saw on video exiting a vehicle at the Marathon gas station on 14 Mile Rd (near Lincoln Lake Ave) that had been stolen in a Grandville home invasion.

Police arrested the suspect, Corey James VanSuilichem, 32, and charged him with receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle. Then, on August 3, they charged him with three counts of first degree home invasion—two for the Bostwick Lake area, and one for Grandville. According to Sgt. Joel Roon, additional victims will be included in the plea agreement.

VanSuilichem is believed to have broken into or attempted to break into over a dozen homes.

On August 9, he was also charged with being a habitual offender, 4^th offense.

He previously served nine years on prison, from 2003 to 2012, for four counts of home invasion and one count of larceny from a motor vehicle for crimes committed in Ottawa County.

In February 2017, he was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years probation for maintaining a drug house in Belding, because he was growing more marijuana than allowed on his card. And, as of June 30, he was listed as a probation absconder.

“We are proud of the tireless work our investigators put into this case and we are always grateful for the many community members who banded together and helped us, and also helped each other through a tense couple of weeks,” the Kent County Sheriff Department said in a statement on their Facebook page.

By Tom Noreen & Judy Reed

The Cedar Springs Historical Society’s Summer Car Show was a great success last Saturday, July 29.  Over 100 cars were on display. This was the largest show ever for the Society, said Director Sharon Jett, and a main fundraiser for them. The car show helps the museum provide free family programs throughout the year.

Roger and Della Grongos’ 1964 Pontiac GTO was voted best in the show by fellow car owners. The top three winners out of the top 20 were Mike Bannister with his 1968 Camaro; Al Marlin with his 1976 Corvette; and Bob Jenema with his 1948 Chevy Fleetmaster.

Special Guests this year were the State Police with their new cruiser that resembles the department’s iconic 1937 Ford Model 74 patrol car. The Kent County Sheriff’s Department brought their Mobile Command Bus. The bus was open for display.

Meijer served a free hotdog lunch to the public again this year and coffee was generously provided by  the Cedar Springs Biggby Coffee Shop courtesy of owners Bob and Deb Garza.  The Cedar Springs High School FFA students sold donuts and helped folks as needed and Pat Patin provided lots of music. Nolan Patin, their youngest volunteer, did a silent auction as another little fund raiser.

Both Jett and volunteer DM White work about four or five months to get this show ready, and their efforts certainly paid off! Jett said that White contacted the MSP and Sheriff Department about coming and was pleased they said yes. “What makes it even better is the police officers are as excited about coming as we are about having them here!” she said.

“We are so grateful to the businesses and families who sponsor the show and our volunteers,” she added.

The 13th Annual Rockford Area Kids Triathlon is set to be held on Saturday July 8, 2017 at the Rockford High School.  Races will start at 9:00am and participants should arrive an hour before race time.

This is a swim/bike/run event for children age 2-17 sponsored by the Rockford Public Safety, Kent County Sheriff’s Department, and the Michigan State Police. The purpose of the Kids Triathlon is not only to promote physical fitness to our children, but to give them positive alternatives to drugs and alcohol through athletic competition.

Every participant will receive a t-shirt, medal, and participation certificate.  The top three boys and girls in each age group will receive a trophy.  The cost of this race is $20.00 and all proceeds from this event will benefit the Michigan Special Olympics.  The following is a list of races, start times, age groups and the distances they will be performing in:

Awards will be presented at approximately 12:45pm.

For any questions or to register for this race please contact F/Lt Kevin Sweeney of the Michigan State Police at 517-719-1195 or by email at sweeneyk@michigan.gov

Jerry Lynn Avery, 77 of Cedar Springs went into the loving arms of his Savior on Thursday, November 17, 2016 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born March 19, 1939 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Donald and Caroline (Townes) Avery. Jerry had a thirty four year career as a police officer, serving in the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and before that, the Cedar Springs Police Department.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, flying, bicycling and time with his grandkids. He was a member of Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church and the Northwest Soaring Club of Frankfort where he served as an instructor.  He was also a member of the Bad Bikers Bicycle Club, where he was known as the “Baddest Biker”. Surviving are his wife, Peggy (Beals) whom he married on November 12, 1957; sons, Mike (Denise) Avery, Tim (Kim) Avery; grandchildren, Sarah (Jordan) Brygal, James (Jessica) Edwards, Andy Avery, Jessica Martin, Jamie Jeffries III, Samantha Avery, Shelby Avery; 12 great grandchildren; brother, Leon (Janet) Avery. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Joe (Jean) Avery, David Avery; sister, Madeline (Stan) Piasecki. The family will greet friends Sunday, Nov. 20 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service will be held Monday, Nov. 21 at Courtland-Oakfield United Methodist Church. Pastors Bill Johnson and Chuck Smith officiating. Interment Courtland Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or Faith Hospice.

A Nelson Township woman has been charged with the theft of another woman’s purse at a local business.

The theft occurred at Rowland Surplus Outlet, 130 W. Muskegon Street, on December 23. A regular customer was shopping there on December 23, and set her purse down. When she realized it was missing, employees in the store and many of their customers searched for it. They finally found it, stashed in the bathroom, with a large amount of cash missing from it.

“It (the money) had been taken out of the bank that morning to give to her kids for Christmas,” explained Rowland’s office manager Jane Wieda.

According to Sgt. Jason Kelley, of the Kent County Sheriff’s Department Cedar Springs Unit, Rowland’s staff checked surveillance footage during the time period and saw a female carrying the customer’s purse into the bathroom. The female was identified by witnesses as Kristina Marie Houck, 39.

She was interviewed by the investigating deputy, and, during the interview, the suspect admitted to taking the money and turned the money over to police. The deputy was able to return all of the missing money to the victim.

Houck was charged by the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office with a felony, larceny in a building. She was arrested by self-turn in on January 9, and is currently out on bond, pending court.

Left to Right: Darnell Brown, Charles Fortune, Zack Cender.

Three men from East Lansing were sentenced this week for their roles in the attempted robbery of a jewelry store in Plainfield Township in January.

According to U. S. Attorney Patrick Miles, Judge Janet T. Neff sentenced both Darnell Kenneth-Maurice Brown, 23, and Charles Milton Fortune, 22, to 30 months in prison, and Zackary Ian Cender, 19, to 12 months and one day in prison.

On the morning of January 23, Brown, Cender, and Fortune, along with four other men, left Lansing for Grand Rapids, in two cars, for the purpose of robbing a jewelry store in Grand Rapids.

They drove by the jewelry store, at 4518 Plainfield NE, north of 5 Mile Rd, before parking at a nearby apartment complex. They then stole a pickup truck, and Brown, Cender, and three others travelled to the jewelry store in the stolen truck. Fortune and another stayed with the cars at the apartment complex. Once at the store, the driver waited in the truck while four robbers, including Brown and Cender, entered. Brown acted as a lookout, while Cender and two others went to jewelry cases containing Rolex watches and began smashing the glass cases with short-handled sledgehammers. Employees and customers fled the showroom. The robbery was disrupted when one of the employees returned to the showroom and fired a weapon in the direction of the robbers.

The suspects fled the scene, then abandoned the stolen vehicle and were seen getting into two different vehicles: a black Chevy Impala, and a new silver Dodge Durango. Kent County Sheriff Sgt. Bryan Muir was responding to the call when he witnessed the black Impala traveling eastbound on I-96. He waited for backup to arrive before conducting a felony stop on I-96 near M-6. Brown, Cender, and Fortune were then taken into custody. The other four conspirators escaped and have yet to be charged.

“This was a carefully planned attempted robbery,” U.S. Attorney Miles said. “The coordination and circumstances of this robbery indicate that these defendants had help. We are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the other perpetrators of this criminal act and in bringing them to justice.”

The U.S. Attorney noted that the public can contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) at (313) 965-2323 with any information about this case.

“The audacity with which this robbery was committed posed a substantial threat to the business place and public-at-large, and will not be tolerated,” stated Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The FBI, along with its law enforcement partners on both sides of the state, is committed to seeing that all of the co-conspirators involved in this case are arrested and brought to justice, and will not stop pursuing them until this is accomplished.”

The FBI and the Kent County Sheriff’s Department are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin M. Presant and Daniel Y. Mekaru are prosecuting it.

The 11th Annual Rockford Area Kids Triathlon is set to be held on Saturday July 11, 2015 at the Rockford North Middle School.  Races will start at 9:00 a.m. and participants should arrive an hour before race time.

This is a swim/bike/run event for children age 2-17 sponsored by the Rockford Public Safety, Kent County Sheriff’s Department, and the Michigan State Police. The purpose of the Kids Triathlon is not only to promote physical fitness to our children, but to give them positive alternatives to drugs and alcohol through athletic competition.

Every participant will receive a t-shirt, medal, and participation certificate. The top three boys and girls in each age group will receive a trophy. The cost of this race is $20.00 and all proceeds from this event will benefit the Michigan Special Olympics.

The following is a list of races, start times, age groups and the distances they will be performing in:

Awards will be presented at approximately 12:45pm.

For any questions or to register for this race please contact F/Lt Kevin Sweeney of the Michigan State Police at 517-719-1195 or by email at sweeneyk@michigan.gov

Police are on the look out for a red truck that was stolen Tuesday evening.

The Kent County Sheriff’s Department-Cedar Springs Unit was dispatched at 6:58 p.m., on Tuesday, February 24, to the Tractor Supply Company on 17 Mile Rd regarding a stolen vehicle. It was reported that a 2001 Ford F350, Dark Red 4×4, with a black stripe near the bottom, chrome running boards and clearance lights on the truck cab, along with a snowmobile trailer and four sleds, were stolen from the parking lot while the owner was inside. The keys were with the vehicle.

On the morning of February 25, the trailer and contents were recovered near Howard City at the M-82 park and ride. The truck is still outstanding. Kent County Sheriff Department Scientific Support Unit responded to the park and ride to process the trailer.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345 or the Kent County Sheriff’s Department.