A man suspected in the robbery and restraint of an elderly man has made his first appearance before a North Dakota judge.

South Central District Judge Donald Jorgensen set bond for Steven Floyd Carlson at $200,000 cash Wednesday morning at the Morton County Courthouse.

Carlson, 48, was charged Feb. 17 with robbery, a Class B felony, and aggravated assault, felonious restraint and reckless endangerment, all Class C felonies. A warrant was issued for his arrest the same day.

Carlson is accused of entering the apartment of William H. Bentley, 80, on Feb. 12, hitting Bentley over the head, tying him up and stealing his wallet.

A neighbor noticed Bentley had not been at lunch Feb. 12 or 13 and had his lights and television on late at night, which was unusual. The neighbor alerted the housing authority at Liberty Heights, an apartment complex for retired people at 1500 Third Ave. N.W., and maintenance man entered the apartment around 3 p.m. Feb. 13.

Bentley's hands and feet were bound, and he was lying on the floor of his apartment. Police believe he had been bound for 28 hours.

Bentley was taken to a hospital for a head injury, dehydration and injuries to his arms and legs. He was released from the hospital Feb. 16.

Police used witness testimony to pin Carlson as a suspect.

Police searched for Carlson in the area after the warrant was issued but were unable to find him. Carlson was arrested Feb. 21 while walking along a road in Jackson County, Mo.

Carlson waived extradition to North Dakota. Morton County Sheriff Dave Shipman said deputies flew to Missouri to bring Carlson back, and they arrived in Bismarck at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)