HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — A 35-year-old Grand Rapids-area man is in police custody after a series of incidents between Marne and Coopersville Wednesday morning, July 31, 2019.
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Capt. Jacob Sparks said police were called just after 10:20 a.m. on the report of a naked man in the area of Garfield Street and 32nd Avenue in Wright Township.
“A nude subject entered a residence here … had contact with the homeowner there, and was chased from the residence,” Sparks said. “He then entered another home in the area, and had contact with the homeowners in that residence, where he assaulted the homeowners there, and left that residence there, driving — struck another vehicle and crashed.”
The crash wrecked the suspect’s car near 48th Avenue and Garfield, in Polkton Township. He took off on foot, into a wooded area south of I-96, with police following. The man was taken into custody without incident, just 21 minutes after the first call for help, Sparks said.
The man was treated at a nearby hospital for minor injuries and is destined for Ottawa County Jail, awaiting arraignment on several felony charges, including home invasion and assault.
Sparks said there were no weapons involved in this incident — and no other suspects involved. None of the assault victims — one of whom was an elderly woman — required medical attention, according to police.
The suspect was able to get into the homes because the doors weren’t locked, Sparks said.
“I would say (the homeowners) didn’t feel the need to lock their homes, as they were both home at the time,” Sparks said. “In both cases, they able to defend themselves and fend off the guy as he broke into the house.”
