Nevada City Man Wanted on Kidnapping Charges

North San Juan, CA…On Sunday, May 8, 2022, shortly after 12pm, our regional dispatch center received several 911 calls reporting an active shooter inside the Country Store located in the 19000 block of Tyler Foote Crossing Road in North San Juan. While deputies were responding to the scene, additional 911 callers reported a possible kidnapping had taken place.

Deputies arriving on the scene immediately noticed broken glass and that the front window and door had been shot out. They also found the store clerk hiding in the bushes across the street. Contact was made with several bystanders, including North San Juan Fire Department Volunteers, who reported the victim had been taken out of the store at gunpoint. The victim was forced into her vehicle by the suspect who also got into the vehicle. Witnesses said the vehicle then left the scene; however, the direction of travel was unknown.

Shortly after, our regional dispatch center received a call reporting a vehicle, possibly matching the description of the victim’s vehicle, was seen driving at a high rate of speed eastbound on North Bloomfield Graniteville Road. Within a few minutes, we received information that the victim had been located at the Waste Management transfer station in the Town of Washington and was now taken to safety at a nearby residence.

Deputies contacted the victim who appeared in good condition and declined any injuries or a need for medical attention. The victim reported she was able to flee from the suspect just outside the Town of Washington and that his current whereabouts were unknown. Based on this information, a CodeRed alert was sent to the town of Washington.

Through a search of the victim’s vehicle, deputies recovered firearms believed to be used during the crime.
The suspect, Allyn Charpentier, 49, Nevada City, had previously been in a dating relationship with the victim.
For several hours, deputies conducted extensive area checks to locate the suspect. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter that was utilized for the initial area search was unable to continue flying due to the weather conditions.

We share our appreciation for our allied law enforcement agencies who assisted in the area checks and initial response.

Charpentier, who has ties throughout Nevada County, should be considered armed and dangerous. If he is spotted, please dial 911 immediately.