OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — A woman was sexually assaulted and injured in a struggle with a man who followed her vehicle through Ottawa County.
The incident happened Sunday around 8 p.m. in Port Sheldon Township. A 24-year-old Grand Haven woman had been driving on southbound US-31 when a man in a silver Ford Edge began following her.
The man allegedly hit the woman's car and continued to follow her until she pulled over at a gas station. Deputies say the woman thought the man wanted to file a police report after he hit her.
Once the woman got out of her car at the gas station, the man sexually assaulted her. She was able to escape from the man and call 911.
She sustained minor injuries in the struggle.
The man left the gas station before deputies arrived. He was later identified as a 60-year-old from Muskegon and taken into custody on Monday.
Captain Jake Sparks with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office said the woman did everything right in this situation, and don't be afraid to call authorities.
"I would just always encourage people to contact 911. I know sometimes the hands-free law, people might get concerned about getting on their phone, but that's a reason to get on your phone," Sparks said. "It doesn't violate that law if you have to summon help or call 911 from your phone."
Sparks said there was a witness at the gas station. They do not have license plate information, but the car is a green pickup truck with wood side rails on the bed. If that person is out there, Sparks asks for them to reach out and speak with investigators.
The man was lodged at the Muskegon County Jail on a parole violation for previous sex offenses, Sparks said. Deputies say he is also facing charges in connection to this incident in Ottawa County.
Because of his previous sex offenses, Sparks said there is a concern that this wasn't the man's first offense like this.
Anyone who witnessed this or may have had similar contact with the suspect is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office at 616-738-4000 or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.