A former West Michigan Biggby Coffee franchise owner has been charged with invasive visual recording after allegations surfaced of him taking "upskirt" photos and videos of women. According to FOX 17, Mark Edwin Dykema, 39, of Holland, was accused of engaging in this behavior at a Lowe's Department Store on Felch Street in Holland Township on Aug. 19. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) was alerted to the incident after a 27-year-old woman noted a man's suspicious activity close to her, involving his phone, in the store.
As reported by WOODTV, surveillance video from Lowe's confirmed the woman's account, showing Dykema bending down near her with his phone's selfie camera open. The store's checkout line footage further implicated him when it revealed the selfie camera in use while passing by the woman. In their investigation, deputies discovered that Dykema is suspected of similar acts throughout the West Michigan region.
OCSO deputies, having investigated the scene and collected evidence, subsequently charged Dykema with capturing the image of an unclothed person and using a computer to commit a crime. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to ten years in prison, as WZZM 13 detailed. As the news broke, Dykema's bond was set at $10,000, which has been posted.
Since the investigation began, Dykema has divested himself from all Biggby Coffee franchises where he was a minority owner. "We were recently informed that one of our former franchise owners, Mark Dykema, has been arraigned on charges related to deeply inappropriate behavior," Biggby Coffee stated in a release, as per WZZM 13, emphasizing that such actions are "abhorrent" and at odds with the brand's values. The franchise has severed all ties with Dykema, ensuring he is no longer affiliated with their coffee shops. Further inquiries into Dykema's conduct are ongoing; individuals with any relevant information are encouraged to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office or Silent Observer.
