Iron Mountain, Michigan – On the evening of Sunday, Nov. 8, Iron Mountain police responded to reports of a pickup truck deliberately ramming a pedestrian in the Walmart parking lot. Officers found that 21‑year‑old Paul Pennebecker, a resident of nearby Stephenson, had used his vehicle as a weapon, striking the victim and then attempting to hit the man again by slamming other parked cars.
Charges filed
Penneybecker now faces two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of fourth‑degree child abuse, a domestic‑violence charge, assault with intent to cause great bodily harm (a felony less than murder), and a failure‑to‑stop‑after‑collision charge. The Dickinson County circuit court set his bond at $250,000.
Incident details
According to police, after the initial impact the victim managed to crawl out from under the vehicle and ran behind other cars seeking safety. Pennebecker continued to pursue, ramming the vehicles the victim was using as cover. When the victim moved further back, Pennebecker stopped, exited his truck and physically assaulted a second individual who was nearby. He then fled the scene.
The first victim was taken to a local hospital, treated for injuries, and released later that night. The second victim did not require hospital care.
Arrest and admission
Early Monday morning, Michigan State Police arrested Pennebecker in Menominee County. During a post‑arrest interview, he admitted that he intended to hurt the pedestrian by striking him with his vehicle. He also confessed to committing additional crimes after leaving the Walmart lot.
Possible link to arson
Police later learned of an alleged arson involving a camper at a residence on County Road 57 in Menominee County, reported just before 2 a.m. Monday. Authorities believe the same individual responsible for the vehicle assault may also be linked to that fire, and an arrest was made in connection with the arson.
Community response
Local officials emphasized the seriousness of using a vehicle as a weapon and urged residents to report any suspicious behavior promptly. The Iron Mountain Police Department thanked the Michigan State Police for their swift assistance in apprehending the suspect.
Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the incident, including any additional victims or related criminal activity.
Original reporting: FOX 11 WLUK Green Bay (local) — read the source article.
