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Man who kidnapped Michigan store manager in elaborate gun theft sentenced

123 guns stolen, recovered

More than 100 guns were stolen from a sporting goods store in Benton Harbor in November 2023. (WDIV)

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – A 25-year-old man from Benton Harbor has been sentenced for his role in an elaborate robbery that involved kidnapping the manager of a sporting goods store.

Dontrell Nance and Darnell Bishop were arrested in November 2023 in connection with the theft of 123 handguns from the Benton Harbor Dunham’s Sports store.

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Background: Men steal 123 guns from Michigan store after kidnapping manager from his home

Both men pleaded guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm.

They were initially charged with 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.

According to authorities, the men admitted they kidnapped the Dunham’s manager from outside his home at gunpoint and took him to another location, where they convinced him to provide keys and the alarm code. Nance stayed with the manager while Bishop went to the store and returned with handguns stashed in coolers that were also stolen from the store.

Both men were arrested the next day. All 123 guns have since been recovered.

Nance was sentenced Tuesday, July 23, to 15 years in prison.

Bishop, who pleaded guilty July 2 -- almost three months after Nance -- is expected to be sentenced Oct. 25. The maximum sentence is life in prison.


About the Author

Dane Kelly is a digital producer who has been covering various Michigan news stories since 2017.

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