Guilty Plea in Brazen Robbery Attempt
On Tuesday, Darnell Bishop pleaded guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with a daring scheme to steal 123 handguns from a Michigan sporting goods store. The plan involved kidnapping the store manager at gunpoint to obtain alarm codes.
The Scheme Unfolds
Bishop and his brother, Dontrell Nance, handcuffed and blindfolded the Dunham’s Sports manager at his home in November. They coerced him into revealing how to disable the store’s alarm system. Bishop then proceeded to the store and stole 123 guns, two coolers, and sunglasses, while Nance stayed with the manager in a car. Surveillance footage captured the theft.
Legal Consequences
Both Bishop and Nance face up to life in prison for their roles in the crime. Nance had already pleaded guilty to the same charges in April. Their capture was aided by an attempt to transfer money from the manager’s bank account using a cash app, which led investigators to the suspects.
Recovery of Stolen Firearms
According to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the stolen firearms were valued at over $100,000. All 123 guns have since been recovered, preventing them from potentially being used in criminal activities.
Background on the Crime
The Dunham’s Sports store is located near Benton Harbor, approximately 100 miles east of Chicago. The plot to kidnap the manager and steal firearms underscores the lengths to which some individuals will go to obtain illegal weapons, raising concerns about similar threats to public safety and the need for vigilant security measures.
