Man Tries to Kidnap Woman with Box Cutter in North Hampton

[Story originally posted at 9:40 a.m.]


A man was arrested Friday morning after attempting to use a box cutter to kidnap a woman outside the North Hampton Shaw's Supermarket, according to WMUR.

WMUR has reported that William Larochelle (no address or age reported) demanded the woman transport him to Maine around 10:30 a.m. WMUR has reported that Larochelle was charged with attempted kidnapping, robbery, resisting arrest, criminal threatening and theft after police found him hiding in wooded area reportedly near Fern Crossing, the plaza across the street.

North Hampton police couldn't be reached for comment Friday, and a message was left for a shift commander Saturday. An officer told Patch the incident is still under investigation.

The Crimeline for the Hamptons posted on its Facebook page that the victim immediately yelled and made "noise" when the incident happened, 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.


UPDATE [5 p.m.]: The following is a press release from the North Hampton Police Department:

On 9/20/13, at approximately 10:37 am, North Hampton Police responded to the area of Lafayette Crossing for a report of an attempted kidnapping and armed robbery.

Upon investigation, police found that a female was approached by a male later identified as William Larochelle while in the Shaws Supermarket Plaza.  Larochelle displayed a box cutter and demanded the female to transport him to Maine.  Larochelle ultimately attempted to drive away with the female’s vehicle.