SPRING LAKE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – A long Wednesday (Aug. 11, 2021) for Ottawa County Sheriff’s Deputies and residents in a neighborhood north of Spring Lake who remained “sheltered in place in their homes” due to an armed man barricaded inside of a residence ended peacefully with an arrest.
According to Sheriff’s Captain Jake Sparks, “Sheriff’s units attempted a traffic stop on a wanted subject at approximately 2 AM. The subject failed to stop and returned to a residence on Palm Drive in Spring Lake Township. Deputies had brief contact with the subject and determined that he was armed with a firearm. The subject fled inside the residence and refused orders to exit.
“It was learned that there was a female inside the home who is in a relationship with the male subject. Negotiators from the Sheriff’s Office were in communication with both of the occupants, and at approximately 6 AM, the female exited the home unharmed.”
Crisis Negotiators with both the Sheriff’s Department and the Holland Department of Public Safety talked to the suspect over the next several hours. Around 6:50 PM, Sparks said, “The suspect exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident. No one was injured during this incident. The suspect is being treated medically and will be lodged at the Ottawa County Jail.
“The Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has authorized numerous charges related to this incident, including: Unlawful Imprisonment, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felonious Assault, Felony Firearm, Resisting and Obstructing Police, and Fleeing and Eluding Police. He was also charged as a Habitual Offender, and his name will not be released pending his formal arraignment.”
Those living in the immediate area of Palm Drive and Hoffmaster Drive remained sheltered in their homes for most of the 17-hour situation. “We would like to thank the public for their patience as we worked for a peaceful conclusion to this event,” Sparks said.
Investigators remained on the scene after the arrest to continue their probe of the incident.
