Update - The Big Rapids Cinema Assault

March 17, 2008 - Andrew Thomas Bennett the 27 year old man who attempted to rob a Big Rapids cinema by assaulting two employees with a wooden shovel handle on 12/11/07 has waived his arraignment and a written pretrial was submitted and signed by the court. He faces the following charges....

Count 1: ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO ROB WHILE ARMED - An assault upon John Doe with intent to rob and steal while being armed with a dangerous weapon, to lead a person assaulted to reasonably believe it to be a dangerous weapon: An implement handle.. MCL 750.89 - FELONY LIFE OR ANY TERM OF YEARS

Count 2: SAFE ROBBERY - Did with the intent to commit the crime of larceny, put fear into John Dow for the purpose of stealing money from the safe or did by intimidation, fear or threats compel or attempt to compel John Doe to disclose the means of opening the safe. - FELONY LIFE OR ANY TERM OF YEARS

Count 3: ATTEMPTED ROBBERY ARMED - Did attempt to commit the following listed offenses and in the attempt did act toward the commission of that offense but failed in the preparation or was prevented in the execution thereof... MCL 750.92 - In the course of committing a larceny of money, use force or violence against a person present, John Doe, and in the course of that conduct possessed a wooden implement handle, a dangerous weapon... MCL 750.529 - FELONY 5 YEARS

Count 4: BREAKING AND ENTERING A BUILDING WITH INTENT - Did break and enter a theater, located in Big Rapids on Michigan Avenue, with the intent to commit the crime of larceny... MCL 750.110 - A 10 YEAR FELONY

Count 5: ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON [felonious assault] - Did make an assault upon John Doe with a dangerous weapon - wooden implement handle, but with out intending to commit the crime of murder or to inflict great bodily harm less then the crime of murder... MCL 50.82 [750.82] - A 4 YEAR FELONY, and or $2000.00

Count 6: ASSAULT WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON [felonious assault] - Did make an assault upon Jane Doe with a dangerous weapon - wooden implement handle, but with out intending to commit the crime of murder or to inflict great bodily harm less then the crime of murder... MCL 50.82 [750.82] - A 4 YEAR FELONY, and or $2000.00

Other news reports have indicated that Bennett was a former employee of the theater, he fled to Florida shortly after the attempted robbery took place. He was later brought back to Mecosta County to stand trial for his crimes.

Update - Bennett made an appearance in court wearing jail fatigues with his court appointed attorney Dennis Duvall. He pleaded "no contest" to count 1 and count 5 of the assault crimes that he committed at the Big Rapids cinema back in December of 2007. In exchange for his plea, the prosecuting attorney will drop counts 2,3,4, and 6 and recommend a 4 to 15 year sentence for Bennett. He will appear in court on July 21, 2008 for sentencing.

Update - On Monday August 04, 2008, Bennett was sentenced to 4 to 15 years in prison for assault with Intent to rob while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon.


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