Nichole Cloutier and Mack Varnum: Kidnappers arrested after duct tape-bound woman drives off with their truck
ST JOHNSBURY, VERMONT: A woman in Vermont escaped from her kidnappers after she drove off their vehicle with her hands still tied together and her head bound by duct tape. The incident took place on Thursday, February 23. First responders who rushed to Bay Street in St Johnsbury found the woman at around 11.30 pm in a vehicle with a bag taped to her head to cover her face and her hands tied together, according to Vermont State Police.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was freed from the truck and taken to the hospital. She was kidnapped from the side of a road in Peacham, as per her statement given to the police, reported New York Post.
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Who are Nichole Cloutier and Mack Varnum?
The unidentified victim allegedly had a dispute with the kidnapper Mack Varnum, 45, with whom she had been living. The dispute took place after the victim borrowed Varnum's truck to buy drugs. The man and Nichole Cloutier, 36, his female cohort, had to forcibly pick up the victim after she walked away from the home following the dispute.
According to the press release, while the kidnappers drove her around nearby Danville and Peacham, she was "forcibly restrained and bound.” The cops said, "At one point the victim was left alone in the truck, enabling her to break free enough to drive away in the truck and escape. The victim then drove herself to Bay Street in St Johnsbury Village."
What are the charges against the kidnappers?
On Friday, February 24, police arrested Varnum and Cloutier from the former's residence in Peacham. On Monday, February 27, Cloutier pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful restraint, kidnapping, and aggravated assault, as per WCAX.
Varnum is scheduled for arraignment over charges of attempted first-degree murder, unlawful restraint, kidnapping, and aggravated domestic assault on Tuesday, February 28. As of the morning before his arraignment, both he and Cloutier are being held in custody without bail.