Nevada County deputies search for man suspected of kidnapping ex-girlfriend at gunpoint
Nevada County sheriff’s deputies on Monday were looking for a man, who “should be considered armed and dangerous” and is suspected of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint before she was able to escape to safety.
The suspect, identified as Allyn Charpentier, 49, of Nevada City, has ties throughout the county, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. Officials asked anyone who sees Charpentier to call 911 immediately.
The reported kidnapping occurred Sunday at the Country Store in the 19000 block of Tyler Foote Crossing Road in North San Juan. Shortly after noon, dispatchers received several 911 calls reporting an “active shooter” inside the Country Store, sheriff’s officials said.
As deputies were headed to the store, additional 911 callers reported a “possible kidnapping” had taken place, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The deputies arrived and noticed broken glass and the front window and door had been shot out, and they found the store clerk hiding in the bushes across the street.
Several bystanders, including North San Juan Fire Department volunteers, told deputies that the victim had been taken out of the store at gunpoint, forced into her vehicle by the suspect who also got into the vehicle, sheriff’s officials said. The witnesses said the vehicle then left.
Shortly after, dispatchers received a call reporting a vehicle, possibly matching the description of the victim’s vehicle, was seen speeding and heading east on North Bloomfield Graniteville Road.
Within a few minutes, sheriff’s officials received information that the victim was found at the Waste Management transfer station in the nearby town of Washington.
Deputies spoke with the kidnapping victim, who appeared in good condition, and she said she did not have any injuries or need medical attention, sheriff’s officials said.
The victim told the deputies she was “able to flee from the suspect” just outside of Washington, and that his current whereabouts were unknown, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Authorities then issued a so-called CodeRed alert in the town as they searched for Charpentier.
In the victim’s vehicle, deputies found guns believed to be used during the kidnapping. Sheriff’s officials said Charpentier had previously been in a dating relationship with the victim.
Deputies searched the area extensively for several hours with help from a California Highway Patrol helicopter, but they did not find Charpentier.
This story was originally published May 9, 2022 at 4:36 PM.
