Benton Harbor man pleads guilty to stealing 123 guns from Dunham's in Benton Harbor

Another Benton Harbor man has pleaded guilty in the kidnapping a sporting goods store manager at gunpoint and stealing over 120 firearms from the store, authorities say.

Darnell Bishop, 33, of Benton Harbor pleaded guilty in April and in U.S District Court in Grand Rapids to charges of kidnapping and for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Bishop faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Bishop along with his codefendant, Dontrell Nance, stole 123 handguns from the Benton Harbor Dunham's Sports store on Nov.16, 2023. As part of his plea agreement, Bishop admitted that he and Nance kidnapped the Dunham's manager from outside the manager's home using a gun and took him to a second location and convinced the manager to provide the alarm code for the building.

Bishop said he then went to the store and stole 123 pistols, which he carried away in two large coolers. Law enforcement have since recovered all firearms.

Nance, who previously pleaded guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22.

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 the FBI.

Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir said, “Today’s plea is the best-case scenario for our industry partners and their innocent employees. Armed robberies of FFLs are one of ATF’s top priorities.

“The message continues to be clear: There is no place in our community for illegal firearms traffickers and those who choose to target and victimize business owners and employees who are just trying to provide for their families.”

Jalen Williams is an intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Benton Harbor man steals 123 handguns from Dunham's; pleads guilty