GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Police throughout Kent County say they are investigating a string of violent events that happened Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning including armed robberies, a stolen car and a homicide. They believe two young men are likely responsible for all of the incidents.
“As the Sheriff, it breaks my heart to know that this is playing out in our community,” Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young told FOX 17 in a sit-down interview Wednesday afternoon.
“We've implemented some technology to assist us, and some coordinated teams like the Pattern Crimes Unit, but it's an uphill battle."
The Sheriff’s Office says the first investigation started just before 10 p.m. Tuesday when Grand Rapids police were called to an armed robbery near a business on Leonard Street. Deputies say shots were fired but no one was hit.
Then, at 10:36 p.m., Kent County deputies were called to investigate a murder on Division Street in Byron Township.
Deputies say they found 50-year-old Joseph Wilder from Kentwood dead from gunshot wounds inside his pickup truck. They believe he was killed during an attempted robbery at a Huntington Bank ATM.
His family is heartbroken to learn about what happened to Joe. The Kentwood man is survived by his wife and three boys. His two older brothers told FOX 17 their little brother was the nicest person you would have ever met. They say he was a man a faith and was the choir director for his local church for two decades.
“Obviously, we're very, very concerned about the complete disregard for community safety with the subjects involved in this incident,” the Sheriff said.
“It's something that not only law enforcement agencies have to take very seriously, but our community needs to take very serious... they need to be vigilant, they need to report incidents that are happening, and work with police to bring it to resolution.”
Samantha Myers, a communications manger with Huntington provided FOX 17 with a statement, saying in part, "Huntington National Bank is working directly with law enforcement as they investigate this incident. Because this is an ongoing investigation we cannot comment further at this time."
Grand Rapids police then responded to a call for a stolen Audi SUV around 11:35 p.m. on S. Division Avenue, which was then tied to an armed robbery along Ann Street around 1:15 a.m.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office says the same stolen Audi was used in an armed robbery at a gas station at 28th Street and East Paris in Kentwood.
According to the sheriff’s office, the stolen Audi was spotted around 2:15 a.m. and a chase ensued.
Deputies say once the Audi left Grand Rapids, Walker police found it and continued the chase until the vehicle eventually crashed along Alpine and 4 Mile in Alpine Township. After running from the crash, officials say a 20-year-old man and a 22-year-old man from Grand Rapids were arrested nearby.
Police from the sheriff’s office, Grand Rapids Police Department, Kentwood Police Department and Walker Police Department are now working together to figure out how and if these events are related and to identify all suspects involved.
Here’s a breakdown of events police responded to overnight.
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
- 9:42 p.m. — Armed Robbery/ Shots Fire near Business on Leonard St
- 10:36 p.m. — Man Robbed & Killed at Bank ATM in Byron Twp
- 11:35 p.m. — Audi SUV stolen on South Division
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
- 1:15 a.m.— Armed Robbery on Ann St
- 1:30 a.m. — Armed Robbery near 28th St & East Paris
- 2:15 a.m. — GRPD & Walker Police pursue Audi SUV. Arrests made after suspects crash near Alpine & 4 Mile
If you have information that could help to move the investigation forward, please call the Sheriff's Office at (616) 632-6125, or stay anonymous by calling Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.
