Monday’s home invasion in a quiet North Bend area has some residents on 
edge, leaving lots of unanswered questions for a neighborhood that sits just outside the city limits in unincorporated King County.
Why would this man break into an occupied home twice in one day? What did he want? Was he targeting the home?
King County Sheriff Sergeant, Cindi West, commented that the incident was a “terrible thing to happen to anyone” but added that she was glad none of the family suffered any serious injuries – that the couple involved did a good job of protecting themselves and their family.
Tuesday, the Seattle Times identified the deceased intruder as 48-year old Kenneth E. Boonstra, who lived in the North Bend area. Police believe Boonstra also entered the home Mother’s Day, May 12th, assaulting and robbing resident Tennyson Jacobson, who was home with her mother and infant daughter.
When Boonstra entered the home for a suspected second time in the early hours of May 13, 2013, he was confronted by Kyle Jacobson, which erupted in a huge struggle until Tennyson stabbed and killed Boonstra. Police say the Jacobsons did not know the intruder and that the home invasion was random.
In the wake of the tragic home invasion, North Bend City Administrator, Londi Lindell, said she and Police Chief Toner are working with North Bend neighborhood homeowner groups to help educate residents about crime prevention activities and to assure them police are doing everything possible to keep the community safe.
This includes a community meeting, Thursday, May 16, 2013, from 6 – 8PM at the Mt. Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave S, to discuss public safety and recent criminal activity in the area. North Bend Police Chief Mark Toner will discuss crime trends and crime prevention techniques. As the recent home invasion is an ongoing investigation, minimal information will be provided about the case. Mayor Hearing and Lindell will also attend.
Last month, North Bend added an amendment to its interlocal agreement with the City of Snoqualmie to staff an additional police officer when the Snoqualmie Police Department takes over North Bend police services next year. The move means an increase to seven officers in the city limits starting March 2014.
The King County Sheriffs Office will continue providing police service to the unincorporated areas around North Bend, those outside the city limits. According to 2010 census data, about 6,000 people reside within the North Bend city limits and approximately another 8,000 live in surrounding unincorporated King County areas.
