Molotov cocktail thrown, man threatened

HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Ottawa County authorities are investigating an incident of an apparent Molotov cocktail thrown at a Holland Township home.

Around 8:30 p.m. Monday, a 33-year-old man and his family -- including children -- heard an object hit the side of their home at Leisure Estates mobile home park, according to Ottawa County Sheriff's Department Lt. Mark Bennett.

The man went outside to investigate and found a bottle containing gasoline had been thrown against the home, but had not ignited. He called the sheriff's department to investigate. Deputies filed a report and left the scene.

Around 10:30 p.m., the same man noticed two people in a large green Astro van-type vehicle outside his home. When the man went outside, one of the people in the vehicle pulled out a gun and threatened him.

The man ran away and the vehicle left. No gunshots were fired and the man was not hurt.

The man called authorities again and admitted he had past quarrels with the Latin Kings gang years ago, but said he didn't know why he'd be targeted now. Police aren't officially classifying this incident as gang related, but they said they don't believe it was a random attack.

It's the second incident in the past few weeks involving Molotov cocktails. On Oct. 31, four Molotov cocktails were thrown at a different Holland house. Those also failed to ignite and no one was hurt.

The Holland Department of Public Safety and the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department are investigating both incidents to determine if they are connected.

In 1999, police faced a similar situation, investigating a handful of firebombings that caused major damage. All of the suspects in that case were believed to be members of the Latin Kings gang.

Anyone with information about this latest incident is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department at 800.249.0911 or Silent Observer at 1.877.88.SILENT (745368).