March 2012 home invasion suspect caught

BLOOMINGDALE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A man who allegedly tied up a homeowner twice and then stole some items during an incident last year has been arrested.

Warrants for home invasion, unarmed robbery and unlawful imprisonment were issued Feb. 15 for Eric Cornell from Bloomingdale. The 26-year-old was taken into custody on Feb. 18 in Grand Rapids and arraigned the next day in South Haven.

It was March 21, 2012 when Cornell knocked on Biff Diamond's door in Bloomingdale Township, pushed Diamond to the ground and tied him up, Diamond told 24 Hour News 8 after the crime.

The 85-year-old Diamond was able to escape while the robber was stealing items in the back of the house. When the suspect realized Diamond had gotten free, he tied Diamond up again. The suspect forced Diamond to the couch and put a pillow over his head. Diamond was able to get free again and the suspect had already fled.

Diamond provided authorities with a detailed description of the suspect. Crime scene technicians collected several items of evidence from the scene. After numerous interviews and search warrants, a suspect was developed.