Pocono News Section

Man Will go to Trial on Rape, Kidnapping Charges

Man Will go to Trial on Rape, Kidnapping Charges - Monday, August 25, 2008 at 4:12PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Monday, Aug 25, 2008 @ 04:12pm EST
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY- A man accused of kidnapping and raping a teenage girl, then holding police at bay with gun fire, will go to trial.

Derek Bengtsson waived his preliminary hearing Monday. Police say he kidnapped a 14-year-old girl, took her to the Budget Host Inn in Stroudsburg and raped her.

She escaped and called police. When officers arrived to arrest him - he shot at them. This led to a standoff that lasted more than an hour. He eventually gave up and no one else was hurt.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Rakaczewski said, "I would like to commend the members of the Stroud Area Regional Police Department for bringing the conflict to a peaceful resolution without anyone losing their life or getting seriously injured."

Bengston's Attorney Wes Niemoczynski said, "Right now we're examining the circumstances of the allegations to figure out what happened, why and the rest."

Bengtsson faces several charges including attempted murder and kidnapping.