Wisconsin man charged after alleged kidnapping ends in Michigan

CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — A Wisconsin man is facing felony charges in Chippewa County after Michigan State Police say he stole a vehicle in Green Bay and forced another man to travel with him to Michigan at knifepoint.

According to MSP, troopers were notified by Green Bay police on Tuesday, June 9, that a suspect who had allegedly stolen a vehicle was believed to be headed toward the Sault Ste. Marie area.

Troopers later located the stolen vehicle on M-28 near M-221 after it broke down, but the suspect was no longer with it.

A short time later, police were called to a Dollar General in Kincheloe after a man ran into the store and asked an employee to call 911, reporting that he had been kidnapped.

Investigators say the suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Blaze Gugin, was found inside the Pizza Patch restaurant in Kincheloe and was taken into custody without incident.

Police allege Gugin stole the vehicle in Wisconsin and then threatened his adult male roommate with a knife, forcing him to travel from Green Bay to Chippewa County. After the vehicle broke down, investigators say the two hitchhiked to Kincheloe.

Gugin was arraigned June 10 in 91st District Court on charges of unlawful imprisonment and receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle.

His bond was set at $250,000 cash with tether and other conditions. He is scheduled to return to court June 22.

The owner of the stolen vehicle has been notified so arrangements can be made for its return.

The case remains under investigation.