Man gets 20-40 years for crime spree

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - John Anthony Falvo will spend the next 20 to 40 years in prison for a June crime spree that spanned three West Michigan counties.

Falvo was sentenced Monday in Ottawa Circuit Court.

The crime spree started in Zeeland, where he reportedly locked a 63-year-old man in an outbuilding on his property in the 1000 block of 96th Avenue. He stole several items, including a red Pontiac van.

Later that evening, Falvo used a handgun to force his way into another home, in the 5200 block of Morgan Road. There, he stole the resident's Chevrolet Avalanche.

The next day, Grand Rapids police found the Avalanche outside a home near Franklin Street and Calvin Avenue SE. The van was recovered in Battle Creek.

He and two other suspects were arrested when Falvo crashed the vehicle while trying to avoid police. He was charged in Kent County for fleeing and eluding.

For the crimes in Battle Creek, Falvo was charged with armed robbery, felonious assault, unlawfully driving away an automobile, home invasion and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In Ottawa County, he was charged with armed robbery, home invasion and unlawful imprisonment.

Falvo's criminal background includes numerous burglary, larceny, forgery, assault, drug and traffic charges dating back to 1988.