Kidnap Suspect Spotted in Grafton Prior to Arrest

A Danvers man was arrested today after allegedly kidnapping a 42-year-old Malden woman, who escaped from his vehicle at the Westborough Service Plaza along the Massachusetts Turnpike, State Police reported.

The woman was able to borrow a cell phone and call the Massachusetts State Police (MSP).

During the motor vehicle and foot chase that followed, the  car was spotted on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Grafton and eventually stopped in Charlton, where the man fled on foot and climbed a ladder behind a building before being apprehended by police.

Nathaniel Hudon, 31, of Danvers was accused of kidnapping the woman from her home and holding her against her will as they drove along the Massachusetts Turnpike. 

According to a report from the MSP, the incident began when Hudon drove to the woman’s home in Malden at 5:45 a.m. He was reportedly under the influence of narcotics and speaking incoherently during the incident. 

When the victim, who is not being identified at this time, went outside her house to see why he was there, Hudon reportedly grabbed her and forced her into his white 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche sport utility truck. He then drove westbound on the Mass Pike. 

State police report that the suspect broke the interior door handles in his truck so that the victim could not open her door and get out. 

At about 6:30 a.m., the woman escaped the vehicle by kicking out a window when Hudon, a man with whom she had a former relationship, stopped to get gas at the Westborough Service Plaza. The woman ran to the truck stop at the plaza, borrowed a trucker’s cell phone, and called the police. MSP reports that the woman “feared for her life.” 

Hudon allegedly got back into his truck and left the service plaza when he realized police were on their way. The victim remained behind. State trooper David Bera arrived at the Westborough plaza a few minutes later and checked on the woman, who was not injured. He then broadcast a description of the suspect and the suspect’s direction of travel to other troopers. 

At 6:51 a.m., trooper James Bretta observed the Avalanche heading westbound on the Mass Pike in Grafton. He activated his blue lights and siren, but Hudon refused to stop. A high speed chase ensued. Bretta chased the suspect for 12 minutes. 

At 7:03 a.m., Hudon turned the Avalanche into the Charlton Service Plaza. He crashed the truck into a fence post, got out and ran into the building that houses shops and fast food restaurants. Hudon reportedly ran through the building and out a rear door. Behind the building, he climbed a ladder to the roof. Trooper Bretta and other troopers followed him and he was captured on the roof.   

Hudon was taken to the State Police Barracks in Weston to be booked on charges of kidnapping and assault and battery. The MSP reports that Hudon will also be charged with other offenses related to the pursuit, including operating under the influence of narcotics, operating to endanger, speeding, and other motor vehicle offenses. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in Malden District Court. 

When Hudon ran out of his truck, he did not put the truck into park, causing it to roll back into and damage a State Police cruiser that had stopped behind it. No injuries were reported during the pursuit and arrest.