KENTWOOD, Mich. — More than 100 homeowners from the Princeton Estates neighborhood in Kentwood gathered at the Kentwood Branch Library on Monday evening to talk security and safety.
Kentwood police also attended the community meeting.
“I wanted to find out more about the current crime going in our neighborhood,” said homeowner Doug DeBruin, “and I was a little disappointed no information was available other than what’s on the news so far.”
“So I came away with just more crime prevention tips.”
Homeowners have been concerned about safety after a break-in turned double murder involving their neighbors. David Bouwman, 81, and his wife Vivian Bouwman, 80, were found shot to death in their Princeton Estates home on Jan. 5 after a break-in. The handgun was never recovered.
Their Cadillac was stolen, dumped off, and torched at a Wyoming Apartment Complex several miles away.
“I considered our neighborhood safe and I still do, but we are taking more precautions now,” said DeBruin.
After receiving more than 75 tips in the case and working long hours, Kentwood police have named a suspect in the case: Javonte Higgins, 22.
“We believe at this time that Javonte Higgins should be considered armed and dangerous,” said Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hillen.
Police and swat teams searched the home Higgin’s parents on Vicksburg Court for evidence last week, but it is unclear what they found. The suspect is wanted on two felony warrants for prior crimes and is a fugitive.
Higgins also has a criminal past that dates back to his teenage years that includes marijuana possession, lying to police, assault, and a string of break-ins.
He also currently has a hip injury. ”Several weeks ago Javonte Higgins suffered severe injuries to his hips, and he now walks with a severe limp, ” said Chief Hillen.
The injuries stem from a crash in December in Kentwood. Higgins was driving a vehicle he stole after a break-in in Wyoming.
Police said the warrant wasn’t issued at that time because he was still in the hospital with critical injuries. Investigators tell FOX 17 News that’s typical procedure. They said a guard doesn’t have to be provided at the hospital. However, Higgins left, and now he’s on the run.
“People know where he’s at, and with the added information he’s limping, it will help us even more,” said Chief Tom Hillen. ”It is just a matter of time before we pick him up.”
Kentwood detectives believe Javonte Higgins may have had help. They have released a sketch of a person of interest in the case who may be connected to the vehicle arson.
With the open investigation, neighbors close to the crimes are making their own adjustments.
“We’ve installed a security system and are trying to be more aware of what was going on,” said homeowner DeBruin.
Silent Observer is offering a $9,500 reward to anyone who provides information leading to an arrest.
Please call 616-774-2345 with tips and information.
6 Comments to “Kentwood Homeowners Talk Security After Double Murder; Suspect On Run”
January 15, 2013 at 4:53 PM
Sure wish I would’ve attended the Princeton Estates neighborhood meeting with Kentwood Police because the citizens deserve answers for a lot more than simple safety tips! Reading all the various TV news and print articles on this I’m sickened by the lack of responsibility Wyoming police and especially City of Kentwood ADMINSTRATORS and police leadership are accepting for this awful double homicide. Wyoming it seems failed at a follow up arrest from the December incident. And Kentwood, well, the police working the streets do a great job and the best they can. However the city administration and police leadership have severely impaired their responsibility for overall public safety due to the providing TAX PAYER PAID FOR Kentwood police security for Woodland Mall on top of their clearly inept security team.
January 15, 2013 at 4:54 PM
And before anyone comes at me with the argument that if Kentwood “lets that mall fail” (causing a suicidal reduction to our tax base) due to lack of business from customers who don’t feel safe, consider this: __1. Yes the murders likely happened during mall closure, however, city administration has dictated limited payroll budget for extra daytime patrol hours at the mall, leaving staff shortages during shifts with typically more serious “after hours” violent crimes. OUR citizens are not getting the protection their tax dollars pay for!! Kentwood citizens should be outraged by this! Businesses should provide their OWN paid security. NO OTHER MALL in West Michigan, dare I say the entire state, has a TAXPAYER PAID & ASSIGNED police presence. I'm sure this wasn't discussed at the meeting. Get our police out of the food court and back in OUR neighborhoods!!__
January 15, 2013 at 4:55 PM
And 2. Woodland is the only mall with to-the-door city bus service. If you wonder why that is an issue, go to Woodland and you will understand that it is the “Hood” mall (Hoodland) where many inner city thugs go to hang, hence more police related incidents, and scared off patrons. (Take a cab punks, Higgins did from the hospital!).
January 15, 2013 at 4:55 PM
Finally a note to Javonte Higgins, his thug protectors, girlfriend, or accomplice(s): TURN YOURSELF IN! If you didn’t do it, why continue to run? Wouldn’t you rather go to prison for home invasion and theft than murder?? And if you did commit these murders, I hope there is someone who cares enough about your waste of a life to convince you that there is no glory in going out in a blaze of bullets (God forbid!) and threatening more lives. To whoever is helping you now: You’re screwing yourself for someone who won’t matter to you in the very near future as he will be removed from society soon (one way or another). Is it worth it?
March 23, 2013 at 4:47 AM
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April 2, 2013 at 11:53 PM
They shouldn't have waited for something to happen before beefing up their home security. The best way to be safe is a preventive approach, not a reactive one.