MANISTEE, Mich. (WWJ) -- A Clare man is behind bars on allegations that he threatened an Amish family as they rode in their buggy down a road in Manistee County.
The suspect, 47-year-old Charles Rogers Sensing, was charged this week in connection with the incident that was reported last summer, according to Michigan State Police.
Investigators said an Amish couple who'd recently moved to Michigan was leaving church on Sunday, Aug. 6, with their baby when a fellow church member suggested they try a faster route home.
The family had never gone this way before, but they decided to try the new route, down Healy Lake Road, police said.
As the family was traveling in their buggy, a man — later identified as Sensing — came from somewhere off the roadway, waving a large knife and trying to get them to stop, the victims reported.
The husband stopped the buggy, not thinking that Sensing was going to threaten them.
That's when it's alleged Sensing told the family if they ever traveled this road again, there would be big problems.
The victims told police that they'd heard this wasn't the first time Sensing has threatened Amish people in the area.
When Sensing was interviewed by an MSP trooper, it's alleged he admitted making the threats. According to police, Sensing told the trooper about his hatred for the Amish and "made remarks as to what he would do if they didn’t stay away from him."
A report was turned over to the Manistee County Prosecutor’s Office and an arrest warrant was authorized in late December.
Sensing was informed about warrant and arranged to turn himself in on Wednesday, Jan. 17, for an arraignment in 85th District Court on one count of Ethnic Intimidation and one count Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
Bond was set at $10,000, 10%.
As of Thursday, police said Sensing remained lodged in the Manistee County Jail.