STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – The Tennessee man accused of a carjacking in Portage County has entered a not guilty plea.
William Gentry, 52, was in Portage County Court on Monday where he entered the pleas to armed robbery with use of force and operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent, both Class C felonies. If convicted he could serve up to 40 years in prison.
Gentry is accused of approaching a woman in the Target parking lot in Stevens Point on April 11, grabbing her by the arm, and forcing her keys from her hand. He also threatened to stab the woman, although she told police she never actually saw a knife. She did say, however, that she felt a “poke” on her chest.
Witnesses told police they saw Gentry flee the parking lot and drive onto Interstate 39.
Gentry was later arrested in Missouri and has been extradited to Wisconsin.
He’s being held in the Portage County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond.