Traverse City, Michigan — Authorities in Traverse City, Michigan, arrested a 51-year-old man after an alleged attempted abduction at a local gas station. The incident unfolded on November 23 at approximately 8:30 a.m., when Grand Traverse Central Dispatch received an emergency call reporting an attempted abduction at the Meijer gas station located at 3965 US-31 in Garfield Township.
According to police, the suspect fled moments after the confrontation, prompting a fast-moving multi-agency search.
BOL Issued as Officers Search for Suspect Vehicle
Shortly after the call, dispatchers issued a “Be On the Lookout” (BOL) alert with details of the suspect’s vehicle and the last known direction of travel. Troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) and deputies from the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department (GTCSD) immediately began canvassing the area.
The coordinated search efforts intensified as officers expanded their perimeter south of town, as per the reports.
Suspect Located Near Chums Corners
At approximately 10:05 a.m., a GTCSD deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description near Chums Corners, located south of Traverse City. A traffic stop was conducted soon after, leading to the arrest of a 51-year-old Benzie County man.
Officials confirmed the suspect was transported to and lodged at the Grand Traverse County Jail.
Suspect Identified and Arraigned
Authorities later identified the suspect as Scott Gensler, 51, of Interlochen.
Gensler was formally arraigned on November 25 in the 86th District Court in Grand Traverse County.
He faces one count of Kidnapping, a significant felony charge in Michigan. During arraignment, the judge ordered Gensler to post a $500,000 cash surety bond.
Upcoming Court Appearance
Gensler’s next court date is scheduled for December 9 at 2 p.m. The case remains active, and investigators say more details will be released as new information develops.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempted abduction. Officials have not yet released additional details regarding the victim or the motives behind the incident.
The Michigan State Police and the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department encourage anyone with information to come forward as the investigation progresses.
Cases like this raise important questions about public safety and fast law-enforcement response.
Share your thoughts in the comments below — do you feel local agencies handled the situation effectively?
