Two Men Indicted for Theft of 123 Guns from Dunham's Sports Store in Benton Harbor
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that the Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Darnell Bishop and Dontrell Nance, both from Benton Harbor, with kidnapping, interference with commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee. Nance is also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms. If convicted, both men face up to life in prison.
“We are experiencing a gun violence epidemic across our country,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “Incidents like what happened at Dunham’s Sports are stunning illustrations of crimes that are dumping guns into our neighborhoods and fueling the gun crisis. We are grateful to law enforcement for recovering nearly all the guns, and my office fully intends to satisfy our burden and prove this case in court.”
Bishop and Nance were previously charged by complaint. The complaint alleged that late on Nov. 16, Bishop and Nance approached the Dunham’s store manager outside his home and held him at gunpoint. Bishop and Nance then handcuffed and blindfolded the manager and took him to another location; there, they forced him to provide security access information for the Dunham’s store. Bishop took the manager’s keys, entered the Dunham’s store and left with more than 120 handguns packed into two large coolers. Police later recovered all but one gun.
Investigators searched residences and vehicles associated with Bishop and Nance on Nov. 17 and found firearms stolen from Dunham’s as well as an additional pistol. Both men were taken into custody that same day.
“The holidays just got merrier. Robberies and burglaries of gun dealers represent the biggest threat to our community’s public safety,” said Detroit Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent James Deir. “With the indictment of Dontrelle Nance and Darnell Bishop, and swift investigation from ATF’s law enforcement partners, the holidays can be celebrated without the fear of over 120 firearms finding their way into the wrong hands.”
“The FBI is incredibly proud of the Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force’s swift action in apprehending the defendants and ensuring the stolen weapons did not make their way into our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI in Michigan. “All too often, weapons like these are used to perpetrate violence and cause irreparable damage to Michigan families. The FBI, along with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, remain committed to working collectively to ensure the safety of our residents.”
This case was investigated by the Benton Charter Township Police Department, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, ATF and FBI.
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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