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Suspect arrested in Wyoming home invasion, Woodland Mall robbery

Posted at 5:04 PM, May 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-26 23:16:04-04

WYOMING, Mich. - Wyoming Police say a man has been arrested after allegedly injuring a woman during a home invasion.

The incident happened Wednesday afternoon in the Bayberry subdivision of Wyoming off of 56th Street and Byron Center Avenue.

Police say they have arrested a 25-year-old Grand Rapids man after receiving numerous tips from the public.  They say the suspect is also the same person wanted in Kentwood for the May 12 armed robbery of a women in the Woodland Mall parking lot.

Officials said the suspect was arrested without incident Thursday afternoon during a traffic stop with the help of Grand Rapids Police.  His name has not been released. He is currently in the Kent County Jail awaiting charges.

The victim told FOX 17 Wednesday that the man told her that he was collecting donations for the Salvation Army, and he displayed a badge that suggested he was a representative of the non-profit.

"He’s been involved in a rehabilitation program that is sponsored through the Salvation Army, what they did is provide an identification badge after 30 days of participation in that program," said Chief James Carmody, Wyoming Police Department. "That was the ID card he had when he approached the woman."

Police say he entered her home when she went to get him a glass of water.  That's when the woman says the suspect assaulted and robbed  her before he fled the area.

"I spoke with the victim, she's terribly traumatized. [She's] a brave woman, proud of what she did," said Chief Carmody. "She was not going to leave that home and not let that person get to her children. She's a hero."