TRAVERSE CITY — A kidnapping case is on hold after the defendant was found incompetent to stand trial.
Scott Eugene Gensler, 51, of Interlochen, had previously pleaded not guilty to the felony charge of kidnapping. On Monday, 86th District Court Judge Michael Stepka found him incompetent to stand trial.
Police believe Gensler attempted to kidnap a woman from the Meijer gas station parking lot at 3965 U.S. 31 in Garfield Township on Nov. 23, 2025.
“Frankly, it’s the type of crime that terrorizes a community,” Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg said at Gensler’s arraignment.
Yet it could have been much worse if bystanders hadn’t “thwarted the plan,” Moeggenberg said.
His trial will be delayed, likely for several months, while Gensler receives treatment. “He will be sent to the forensic center and, hopefully, with treatment, he will be competent to stand trial in the future,” the prosecutor said.
Gensler was referred for a competency evaluation on Dec. 15, court records show.
The preliminary examination, scheduled for Dec. 16, had to be put on hold until the competency evaluation was complete, Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Attwood said in December.
Magistrate Tammi Rodgers set a $500,000 cash and/or surety bond at Gensler’s arraignment. Bond will continue while he receives treatment, according to court records.
Moeggenberg had asked for a bond of at least $500,000 based on the “extremely violent” nature of the crime. The incident was caught on surveillance cameras.
Police say Gensler had fled the scene before Grand Traverse Central Dispatch received a call about the kidnapping attempt. Witnesses had a description of the man, his license plate and his last known direction of travel.
Michigan State Police at the Traverse City Post and the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office canvassed the area.
At 10:05 a.m. deputies were driving east on US-31, approaching Chums Corner, when they saw a car matching the description of the vehicle that had fled the scene. It was heading west on US-31 and they were able to confirm the license plate, Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jon Morgan said.
They turned around and went after it, locating the car heading north on East Commerce Drive. They stopped the car and Gensler was arrested without incident, Morgan said.
State police expressed appreciation to Grand Traverse Central Dispatch, Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office, and citizens on scene for their help in apprehending the suspect.