Man arrested after crashing car into bar

GWINN — One man is in jail after allegedly crashing a stolen vehicle into a Gwinn business.

Forsyth Township Police say Kirk William-Floyd Bragenzer, 25 of Gwinn, was arrested in connection to an incident that happened Thursday night shortly after midnight. At that time, a vehicle crashed into the Happy Hour Bar. Investigation at the scene revealed that the vehicle was traveling eastbound on M-35 when it left the road, drove across the lawn of the First Merit Bank, across Pearce Street, and into the side of the bar. The vehicle — described as a green Toyota by witnesses — left the scene prior to the officer’s arrival. Both Bragenzer and the vehicle were located a short distance away in a parking lot.

Witnesses at the scene placed Bragenzer behind the wheel of the car at the time of the crash. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Marquette County Jail. Police say Bragenzer struggled with officers at the time of his arrest.

Further investigation revealed that the car Bragenzer was driving was taken without the permission of the owner, who was an acquaintance of Bragenzer. The vehicle was heavily damaged and had to be towed from the scene.

Bragenzer faces a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or obstructing a police officer, which is punishable by up to two years in prison. He also faces two misdemeanor counts: operating while intoxicated and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.