Hotel gunman faces half a dozen charges

Daniel Bendtsen

LUDINGTON — The 40-year-old Pinconning man who allegedly threatened hotel guests with a handgun Tuesday evening, April 23, remains lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $100,000 cash/surety bond, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.

Daniel James Bendtsen was arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court on the following charges:

• two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, which is punishable by up to four years in prison;
• two counts weapons — felony firearm, which carries a maximum two-year term;
• weapons — carrying a concealed while under the influence, which is a 93-day misdemeanor;
• weapons/firearms — brandishing in public, which is also a 93-day misdemeanor.

Bendtsen threatened two guests with a handgun at the Comfort Inn, 5323 US-10, in Pere Marquette Township Tuesday shortly before 6:30 p.m., said Sheriff Cole.

“Mason County Sheriff’s deputies and Michigan State Police troopers responded to the call. After interviewing the two victims and viewing hotel security video, it was determined there was a subject in the hotel with a handgun. Law enforcement established a location within the hotel where the suspect was, and that area of the hotel was evacuated.

“Once the area was secured from innocent bystanders, a line of communication was established with the suspect, and he turned himself over to deputies shortly after 9 p.m. He was taken into custody without incident.”

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