A man is lodged in the Livingston County Jail without bond after approaching young children at the Food Truck Friday event in downtown Pinckney on June 21.
According to a release from the Pinckney Police Department, a man identified as Jeremy Mills, 38, of Pinckney, interjected himself into a children’s game of football catch, and he reportedly grabbed, tickled and held them, and made them feel uneasy.
When the officer approached the area, Mills reportedly threw the football at the officer, who deflected it and went to speak with him; he told the officer that he was a friend of the children’s parents, but witnesses said they heard Mills tell the children that he was their uncle.
According to the release, Mills appeared intoxicated and was uncooperative with the officer. A second officer arrived, and it was determined that the man would be detained pending further investigation. The release said the man resisted being placed in handcuffs, but was eventually restrained.
While being escorted to the police station, Mills reportedly screamed obscenities, disrupting the family atmosphere of the event.
According to the release, further interviews revealed that Mills had repeatedly grabbed a young boy who thought Mills was going to take him from his parents. When the boy’s parents told the boy to come to them, Mills stepped in between them to prevent the parents from taking custody of their child.
According to police, Mills did not know any of the children involved or their parents. He was lodged at the Livingston County Jail without bond.
On June 22, the Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office authorized numerous felony charges against Mills; the release did not detail what those charges are.
On June 24, Mills was arraigned in 53rd District Court, and a $100,000 cash bond was set.
The Pinckney Police Department release said it is continuing to investigate to ensure all victims are located.
