RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont racetrack owner has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of holding three teens at gunpoint for doing doughnuts in the parking lot of his track.
Michael Bruno allegedly stopped teens on the highway after they left Devil’s Bowl Speedway and demanded at gunpoint that they identify themselves.
Police say Bruno admitted in an interview to having a gun in his pocket when he confronted the teens.
Deputy State’s Attorney Ray Sun calls Bruno’s actions an extreme response to a minor property crime. He says Bruno could have taken the license plate and called police.
Bruno faces eight charges, five are felonies, including kidnapping and extortion.
Defense attorney Brian Marsicovetere says the incident was blown out of proportion by kids scared to get in trouble.
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