HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — A 43-year-old Grand Haven man has been arraigned on charges stemming from a Sunday afternoon incident (Sept. 19, 2021) at the Grand Haven Township Walmart, 14700 US-31.
James Allan O’Connell was arraigned on Tuesday in Grand Haven District Court on charges of kidnapping, second-degree assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, and being an habitual offender. Judge Craig Bunce ordered O’Connell to be held in the Ottawa County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond.
Sheriff’s Capt. Jacob Sparks indicated the suspect is believed to have grabbed an 8-year-old girl inside the store, but the girl’s mom wrested her away. After this incident, which police say happened at about 2:40 p.m., a Sheriff’s Office patrol sergeant spotted a man matching the suspect’s description.
Officers arrested that man at 5:25 p.m. Sunday, and the related investigation indicated the man may have accosted another young girl as he was leaving the Walmart. Police are asking that family to contact detectives to file a formal report.
Detectives believe the man made similar attempts at area stores, and have received one report of the suspect making physical contact with another 7-year-old girl at about 3:30 p.m. inside the business located at the nearby Meijer, 15000 US-31 in Grand Haven Township.
The case remains open, and anyone with information or who may have been approached is asked to call the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office or contact Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.
-Gary Stevens contributed to this story.
James lives in my apartment building, i seen him outside of there at about 2:25 and then later seen him outside of Walmart around 4:25-4:45 and yes he did have a face mask on but the rest of his clothes did not match the description of the police report or Walmart’s video footage, I would also like to add he rode there on a bike so what was he going to do if he actually got one those girls on his bike?,and if anyone would like to add anything i would be happy to listen because i really don’t think he did this, and i’m not just saying this because i know him, i just don’t want a innocent man in jail and a guilty man free, thanks for your time.
Sincerely, Gavin