A 20-year-old Southfield man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting two women by placing an unknown liquid on their clothing at a Kroger store in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Deon Otis Grant faced arraignment earlier this week on two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to reports by CBS News Detroit and FOX 2 Detroit.
The first report of these unsettling incidents was made last Friday, after a woman noticed an unfamiliar substance on her pants while shopping at the Kroger located at 25780 Middlebelt Road. Surveillance footage from the store played a crucial role in identifying Grant as a suspect, the latter portal detailed. Just days later, on September 8, Grant reportedly visited the same Kroger, where store staff quickly recognized him and contacted the authorities. Before police arrived, Grant was said to have targeted another female shopper similarly.
Farmington Hills Police Department officers detained Grant as he attempted to flee the scene. Local community members have expressed their apprehension with Dominique Pitts telling CBS News Detroit, "It's disturbing, and I hope that he's caught. What is the substance?" Furthermore, another local, Carlos Hill, raised concerns about the suspect's release on bond, stating, "He should've been held a little bit longer, maybe had some type of psychological evaluation before he was actually let go cause I'm pretty sure he'll do it again."
After his arrest, Grant was given a $10,000 personal bond and cannot return to the Kroger store or have contact with the victims as conditions of his release, CBS News Detroit reported. His plea of not guilty was entered during his arraignment, and evidence, including the pants from both alleged incidents, is being analyzed, the outlet added. The department's Chief John Piggott emphasized the force's commitment to community safety, stating, "The Farmington Hills Police Department is deeply committed to ensuring the safety of our community and holding people who violate that sense of safety accountable for their actions." Grant's past is also under scrutiny, as he was reportedly wanted in Florida for similar allegations.
As per ClickOnDetroit, Grant is slated for a return to court on September 19, where more details surrounding the case are expected to be revealed. In the meantime, anyone with additional information on the incidents is encouraged to reach out to the Farmington Hills Police Department. The department can be contacted at 248-871-2610 for further inquiries or to provide any pertinent details about the case.
