Nevada County man suspected of kidnapping ex-girlfriend at gunpoint found a month later
A man suspected of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint more than a month ago was found Sunday in Grass Valley driving around in a stolen vehicle, sheriff’s officials said.
Allyn Charpentier, 49, of Nevada City was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, robbery, first-degree burglary, vehicle theft, and possession of stolen property, according to the Nevada County Jail records. He remained in custody at the jail, where his bail was set at $430,000.
Authorities had been looking for Charpentier since May 8 kidnapping. Sheriff’s officials said last month he “should be considered armed and dangerous.”
Shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday, authorities spotted Charpentier driving a stolen vehicle on Freeman Lane in Grass Valley, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. With help from the Grass Valley Police Department, Charpentier was taken into custody without further incident.
The kidnapping occurred 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 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.
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 said she did not have any injuries or need medical attention, sheriff’s officials said.
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.
This story was originally published June 13, 2022 at 2:15 PM.
