Amateur Poker Player in Shootout With PA Police

Written by:
Ace King
Published on:
Aug/05/2008

Derek Bengtsson, who lists online poker as one of his favorite activities, opened fire on Allentown police officers Tuesday after he allegedly kidnapped a 14-year-old girl from her home at gunpoint early Tuesday and raped her at an eastern Pennsylvania motel.

Police allege that Derek Bengtsson kidnapped the girl around 1:20 a.m. and took her to the Budget Host Inn in Stroudsburg, where he shackled and raped her. Authorities said Bengtsson eventually fell asleep and the victim managed to escape and call police.

State police said the tall, burly, bearded suspect fired at least four shots at officers from the Stroud Area Regional Police Department as they broke down the door to his motel room, and that one officer became pinned down in a bathroom. No one was hit, and Bengtsson surrendered after negotiating with officers, police said in an affidavit.

"The fact that he fired, it was pretty unbelievable that no one was hurt," said state police Trooper Robert Sebastianelli.

Bengtsson, 27, of East Stroudsburg, was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail. He also apparently knew his victim.

Bengtsson's MySpace page lists his interests as "Poker, serial murder, rape, torture, etc." Among his heroes, according to the site: "child molesters" and serial killer Ted Bundy.

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Ace King, Gambling911.com

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