Former Tulip Time President Mark Dykema Suspected of Raping Multiple Women

OTTAWA COUNTY — A former businessman and former chairman of the board of directors of Tulip Time has been charged with capturing the image of an unclothed person and using a computer to commit a crime.

Mark Dykema, 39, allegedly followed a woman into a store and attempted to take pictures or video up her skirt on Aug. 19, according to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Dykema was arraigned Wednesday, Sept. 18, before 58th District Court Judge Juanita Bocanegra. His bail was set at $10,000 and posted.

Dykema previously owned several Biggby’s cafes, including in Holland Township, Zeeland and the Haworth Hotel. Dykema has since “divested” his stake in the stores, according to attorney Rob Howard.

In an announcement last year, Dykema was named outgoing president and a permanent member of the Tulip Time board of directors. According to the festival’s website, a new board, which does not include Dykema, will take office on October 1.

Tulip Time executive director Gwen Auwerda did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to OCSO, the 27-year-old victim in this case did not initially know what Dykema was doing, but noticed his proximity to her.

Further investigation revealed that Dykema is suspected of using devices to record “upskirt” photos or videos of women at multiple locations in West Michigan. The department is working with neighboring police departments on incidents that may have occurred in their jurisdictions.

Anyone with information is asked to contact OCSO or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.

— Cassidey Kavathas is the Holland Sentinel’s political and justice reporter. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @cassideykava.

This article was originally published on The Holland Sentinel: Former Holland businessman Mark Dykema suspected of raping multiple women