LAWTON, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office has announced that one suspect has been arrested on numerous charges involving kidnapping, armed robbery, criminal sexual conduct, and more.
According to an official press release, the incident occurred Tuesday night at the Main St. Laundromat in Lawton. A young woman agreed to give a 55-year-old man a ride home to the Paw Paw area.
During the ride, the suspect held her at knife point and forced her to drive to a nearby secluded cornfield where she was physically and sexually assaulted. The suspect then forced the victim to drive him into Paw Paw where he robbed her and exited the vehicle on foot. The incident was immediately reported to Van Buren County Central Dispatch.
Deputies responding to the scene set up a perimeter near the last known location of the suspect and a K-9 track was conducted. The K-9 and Handler from the Michigan State Police were able to locate the suspect and took him into custody.
The suspect has been identified as Jimmy Lee Mitchell of Lawton, Michigan, and was subsequently arrested and lodged at the Van Buren County Jail on the following charges:
- Two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st Degree
- One count of Kidnapping
- One count Armed Robbery
- One Count of being a Habitual Offender
The victim received medical treatment from Bronson Lakeview Hospital and was released. This incident remains under investigation and will be submitted to the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Mitchell’s bond has been set at one million dollars.
