GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A standoff situation resolved peacefully in Grand Rapids Wednesday evening, but neighboring residents were confused about what was going on.
"It was kind of chaotic, but we just tried to stay in the house and be nosy," said Ward Brandel, a man who lives next door to the barricaded house. He said he saw the whole thing unfold, and didn't learn until later that a fugitive was barricaded inside.
Brandel wasn't the only one; the homeowner herself originally said she wasn't sure why the fugitive was lodged up in her home.
"I guess the man was wanted for some gun charges that I knew nothing about," the homeowner told FOX 17, who only wanted to be identified as April. "I have no acquaintance to this man whatsoever."
Police were stationed outside her home on Diamond Avenue for over 6 hours Wednesday, where 45-year-old Raymond Bettison was hiding out. Bettison was spotted by the FBI Fugitive Task Force, who had him under surveillance after he violated his probation. He had a felony warrant out of Allegan County for carrying a concealed weapon.
Bettison has a lengthy rap sheet, including charges of assault and intent to murder that date back to 1992. He also has previous charges of felony firearm and possession of cocaine. He was finally apprehended around 6:30 p.m., when a K-9 unit found him hiding in the attic. He was bitten in the leg and treated for minor injuries.
April says that she was at work while it all went down, and was surprised to find her house a mess when she got home. Tread marks littered her yard, and one of her windows was blown out.
"What I thought of the damage is that GRPD needs to pay me for tearing up my house!" April said. "I don't think it's fair to do any tax-paying citizen like that."
She initially told FOX 17 that she didn't know anything about the fugitive, but later told FOX 17 that she used to work with Bettison "years ago."
Grand Rapids police couldn't comment on whether or not April will face any charges. Bettison, GRPD says, will eventually be taken back to Allegan County for arraignment.
