OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — The former franchise owner of Biggby Coffee shops in Holland and Zeeland is being investigated for allegedly taking photos and videos up unknowing women's skirts across West Michigan, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office.
OCSO began their investigation of 39-year-old Mark Edwin Dykema of Holland City on Aug. 19.
Deputies said on that day they were called to a store in the 12600 block of Felch Street in Holland Township around 4 p.m. OCSO said a 27-year-old woman had contacted Ottawa County Central Dispatch to report that she believed a man at the store was attempting to take a picture or video up her skirt.
The OCSO investigation also allegedly found that Dykema had passed the woman in the store, bent down and attempted to take a photograph and video recording up her skirt.
Deputies said the woman was initially unaware of what Dykema was doing until he passed her. OCSO said he was using his phone and the woman became suspicious because of how close he was to her.
When deputies continued their investigation, they said they found that Dykema was suspected of using recording devices to capture "upskirt" videos and photos of unknowing women in and around West Michigan.
OCSO detectives are working with neighboring police agencies on incidents that may have happened in their jurisdictions.
Dykema was arraigned in 58th District Court on the charges of capturing the image of an unclothed person and use of a computer to commit a crime.
On Friday afternoon, Captain Tim Sparks of the OCSO told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that Dykema was the franchise owner for Biggby Coffee shops in Holland and Zeeland.
13 ON YOUR SIDE spoke with Dykema's attorney, Rob Howard, who said when the investigation into Dykema began, he was a minority owner of multiple Biggby Coffee franchises.
Since the investigation began, Howard said Dykema has sold his interest in all locations and divested himself from them.
Biggby Coffee also reached out to 13 ON YOUR SIDE and said Dykema was only involved with two Biggby Coffee shops in Holland and Zeeland.
Past announcements by Biggby Coffee in 2016 and 2019 showed Dykema was the franchise owner and operator of stores in Holland and Zeeland.
Biggby Coffee removed these articles from their website on Friday afternoon.
Biggby Coffee sent a statement to 13 ON YOUR SIDE on Friday afternoon which stated:
We were recently informed that one of our former franchise owners, Mark
Dykema, has been arraigned on charges related to deeply inappropriate
behavior. The behavior alleged in the criminal complaint is abhorrent and
completely contrary to our brand's values. Consequently, Mark no longer
holds ownership interest in any of our locations and is no longer
affiliated with BIGGBY COFFEE.
At BIGGBY COFFEE, we uphold our promise to be a community
minded coffee shop, which includes having respect for everyone who
interacts with our brand from our BIGGBY fanatics to our franchise owners
to our corporate team members. We believe in providing a safe and inviting
atmosphere, and this type of behavior will not be tolerated.
If anyone has additional information, or if you believe you have been victimized in a similar way, you are asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.