Lansing, MI – A high-speed police pursuit that spanned multiple counties in Michigan led to the arrests of two men on Monday, December 30, 2024. The chase, which involved several law enforcement agencies, began in Ionia County after a tip-off regarding a suspect with an outstanding armed robbery warrant.
The incident unfolded when an Ionia County Sheriff’s Detective, assigned to the Central Michigan Enforcement Team (CMET), received information that a suspect wanted in connection with an armed robbery, who had previously fled to Texas and Mexico, was back in Ionia. The detective learned that the individual was traveling in a black GMC Yukon and quickly obtained the vehicle’s license plate number.
Deputies positioned two Ionia County Sheriff’s cruisers to intercept the vehicle, which was believed to be heading toward the suspect’s mother’s residence in Ionia. As the vehicle was spotted traveling along E. Lincoln Ave., deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop as it approached Cyrus Street. However, the suspect did not pull over and instead sped off north on Cyrus Street.
The suspect, later identified as 21-year-old Diego Luis Bowerman of Ionia, continued the high-speed chase through the city before heading north on N. State Rd (M-66) and east on Carson City Road (M-57) into Montcalm County. The pursuit drew assistance from the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police, who deployed stop sticks and tire spikes in an attempt to halt the fleeing vehicle, but these efforts were unsuccessful.
After the suspect made several turns on back roads, the vehicle ultimately returned to M-57, heading west toward the City of Greenville. The Greenville Department of Public Safety then took over the chase, which led them into Kent County. Authorities had set up additional stop sticks near Northland Drive, which successfully disabled the vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle came to a stop just west of Northland Drive, where multiple individuals fled on foot.
Assisted by an aerial drone provided by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, officers were able to apprehend all individuals in the vehicle. Along with Bowerman, a 22-year-old passenger, Enrique Vazquez of Ionia, was arrested on an armed robbery warrant out of Kent County, as well as an additional warrant for Carrying a Concealed Weapon out of Ionia. Both men were transported to jail for booking.
Bowerman, who was later interviewed by authorities, stated that he knew the target subject had an armed robbery warrant and that he was trying to avoid being caught due to his own parole status. Bowerman faces charges of Fleeing and Eluding Police and Parole Violation. He is currently lodged at the Ionia County Jail with a $30,000 cash/surety bond.
Vazquez, also arrested, is being held at the Kent County Jail. His bond details are not available at this time.
Additionally, three other individuals—two men, aged 22 and 19, and a 17-year-old female, all from Ionia—were found to be in the vehicle during the pursuit. While these passengers are not facing charges at this time, police confirmed that all were related to one another.
The incident highlights the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies in Michigan to apprehend suspects on the run and prevent further danger to the public. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, including the ongoing cases involving the arrested individuals.
