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ESCANABA -- The 21-year-old Stephenson man who was arrested Monday for an alleged hit-and-run and arson incident has been arraigned.
Paul Michael Pennebecker was arraigned Tuesday in the Dickinson County 95B District Court on one felony count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, two felony counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree child abuse, one misdemeanor count of domestic violence and one misdemeanor count of failure to stop after a collision in an accident.
The charges against Pennebecker stem from incidents that began at approximately 7:07 p.m. Sunday.
According to the Iron Mountain Police Department (IMPD), Pennebecker allegedly struck a person with his vehicle with the intent to cause injury in a Walmart parking lot in Iron Mountain.
After being struck and dragged by Pennebecker's vehicle, the victim was able to separate himself and run behind other vehicles, a news release said.
Pennecker allegedly continued attempting to strike the victim by ramming into the vehicles the victim was hiding behind.
"As the victim moved behind other vehicles in an effort to reach safety, Pennebecker stopped pursuing him, exited his vehicle and physically assaulted a second victim." IMPD alleged. "Pennebecker then fled the scene on foot."
Troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Iron Mountain Post assisted the Iron Mountain Police Department (IMPD) with attempting to locate Pennebecker after the incident, but initial attempts were unsuccessful.
The individual that was struck was transported by EMS to a local hospital, where they received treatment and were subsequently released with non-life-threatening injuries.
Then, at approximately 1:57 a.m. Monday, troopers from the MSP Iron Mountain Post were dispatched to an alleged arson of a camper at a residence on County Road 577 in Menominee County.
The preliminary investigation indicates both incidents were related and are believed to have been committed by Pennebecker.
At approximately 9:50 a.m. Monday, troopers and deputies from the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office were able to safely take Pennebecker into custody.
During an interview following Pennebecker's arrest, he allegedly admitted that he intended to injure the victim by striking him with his vehicle. Pennebecker also allegedly admitted to committing other crimes after fleeing Walmart in the Norway, Michigan, area and in Menominee County.
Pennebecker is lodged in the Dickinson County Jail on a $250,000 bond. He is set to appear back in court Nov. 24 for a probable cause conference and Dec. 1 for a preliminary examination.
The IMPD was assisted at the scene by the MSP, Kingsford Public Safety, Dickinson County Sheriff's Department, Iron Mountain Fire Department and Integrity Care EMS.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.