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Muskegon home searched, man arrested in attempted abduction case

Posted at 10:59 AM, May 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-18 00:13:03-04

MUSKEGON, Mich. - Police have been searching a home in Muskegon in connection with an attempted kidnapping last month.

The home being searched is in the 1800 block of S. Sheridan.  Michigan State Police, as well as county sheriff deputies are at the location.

The Muskegon County Sheriff tells us that one person, a man, has been taken into custody.  He is the owner of the home.  Sheriff Roesler tells us that they are looking for a handgun that may have been used in a prior attempted abduction.

Investigators say that the arrest and search are in connection with an attempted abduction that happened on West River Road in mid-April.  In that incident, a 16-year-old girl was walking and lost, when a man in a mini-van offered to let her use his cell phone. She got in and the man drove off without letting her use the phone.  She was able to unlock a door and jumped from the moving van.

Jail records show that a Jeffrey Willis was taken into custody Tuesday morning on kidnapping suspicions.  Willis is the registered owner of the home where investigators searched Tuesday morning.  Police are not confirming the suspect's identity.

1800 S. Sheridan

1800 S. Sheridan

The sheriff also says they are coordinating with other agencies who have been investigating other abductions and attempts.

The Norton Shores Police Department issued a statement Tuesday afternoon that at this point, there is no direct link to the 2013 disappearance of Jessica Heeringa.  Heeringa disappeared from a Norton Shores gas station and has not been found.   Norton Shores police say that they have been working with detectives in other areas anytime there is a similar case.