GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, MI – A man accused of attempting to abduct a woman from a Meijer gas station parking lot was arraigned today.

Scott Gensler, 51, of Benzie County, is charged with kidnapping related to the incident that occurred around 8:30 a.m. Sunday outside the gas station in Garfield Township, just outside of Traverse City.

The victim, a 21-year-old Florida woman, appears to have been selected at random. Police do not believe this case is related to human trafficking.

“The victim had no prior knowledge of the defendant at all,” Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg said during the arraignment via Zoom in 86th District Court. “Frankly, it’s the type of crime that terrorizes a community.”

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