Dangerous Criminal Scheme: Kidnapping and Theft of Handguns by Two Michigan Men

A man pleaded guilty to a criminal scheme that involved kidnapping the manager of a Michigan sporting goods store and stealing 123 handguns. Darnell Bishop, along with his brother, committed this bold act with the intention of illegally distributing firearms on the streets of Benton Harbor and beyond. According to U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, Bishop’s actions were described as being daring and if successful would have led to devastating consequences.

Bishop admitted to handcuffing and blindfolding the store manager at his home before committing the crime. He stole items from the store while his accomplice stayed with the manager. Video footage from the store provided evidence of their criminal activities, leading to charges of kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during the crime of violence. Both Bishop and his accomplice faced life imprisonment for their actions.

An attempt to transfer money from the manager’s bank account using a cash app led investigators to one of the men involved in the crime. The stolen handguns were worth over $100,000 according to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives but thankfully all of them have been recovered. Bishop and Nance will now face the consequences of their actions as they have already pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.