Defense Claims No Probable Cause in Box Cutter Kidnapping

The alleged Shaw's box cutter kidnapper remained behind bars on $20,000 cash or corporate surety bail Monday after a Hampton District Court judge ruled against the defense's assertion that there is no probable cause to pursue attempted kidnapping and robbery charges against the man, according to Foster's Daily Democrat.

"There is no evidence he held (the victim) for ransom, or as a hostage," Mark Osborne, the attorney for William Larochelle, 31, of Newburyport, Mass., reportedly said in court Monday. "There is not any evidence he took her to avoid apprehension by law enforcement. He did not use her to terrorize someone else. He was not committing any harm as he tried to control or detain her. There is no argument in the criminal threatening charge but with respect to the attempted kidnapping and robbery allegations, I don’t know."

Larochelle was arrested on Sept. 20 after attempting to use a box cutter to kidnap a woman getting out her car outside the North Hampton Shaw's Supermarket at about 10:30 a.m.

Larochelle allegedly demanded the woman transport him to Maine. The Crimeline for the Hamptons posted on its Facebook page that the victim immediately yelled and made "noise" when the man displayed the box cutter and made his demand, which helped prevent the kidnapping.

"Within a very few seconds three men from various areas of the parking lot were on the way to her aid," posted the Crimeline.

Larochelle allegedly ran off and was apprehended by police after attempting to hide in a wooded area near Fern Crossing, the plaza across the street.

Larochelle's bail comes with a variety of conditions, including an order that he can have no contact with the victim as well as the fact that he must undergo a "dangerousness evaluation" before his release. A hearing would be held for that evaluation before his release.