Update 4:40 p.m. Monday

An armed kidnapping suspect remained on the loose Monday afternoon after authorities say he forced a woman into a vehicle and sped from a North San Juan store.

Allyn Charpentier, 49, Nevada City, is considered armed and dangerous. The victim, a former girlfriend of his, was found safe shortly after the Sunday incident, a news release states.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has asked people to call 911 if Charpentier is spotted.

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Authorities say they responded around noon Sunday to reports of an active shooter inside a business in the 19000 block of Tyler Foote Crossing Road. Driving to the scene, deputies then learned a possible kidnapping had occurred, reports state.

“Deputies arriving on the scene immediately noticed broken glass and that the front window and door had been shot out,” the release states. “They also found the store clerk hiding in the bushes across the street.”

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Witnesses could be seen consoling each other after learning the victim had been found safe in the town of Washington.

“It was a bad day,” one person said. “The store got shot up, my friend got abducted. I’m just grateful to be alive, as is everyone here. He was shooting at people to kill them for sure. This man right here would been the last face I had seen.”

Bystanders told deputies that a woman was taken at gunpoint from the store and into a vehicle before leaving the area, reports state.

Shortly afterward, dispatch received a call about a vehicle — possibly matching the description of the victim’s vehicle — speeding east on North Bloomfield-Graniteville Road, the release states.

Officers then learned the victim was safe, authorities said.

“Deputies contacted the victim who appeared in good condition and declined any injuries or a need for medical attention,” the release states. “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.”

Deputies searched the victim’s vehicle, finding firearms they believe were used during the incident, reports state.

Multimedia Reporter Elias Funez contributed to this report

Update Monday 10 a.m.:

Press release from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office:

On Sunday, May 8, 2022, shortly after 12 p.m., 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.

Update 7:50 p.m.:

From an email from Andrew Trygg, public information officer with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office:

“We were unable to locate the suspect after an extensive area check of the poor man’s creek area outside of Washington. Should anyone see a suspicious subject, not known to the area, they are encouraged to call 911.

The suspect is a white male adult last seen wearing camouflage pants black sweatshirt, 5 foot 10 inches tall and approximately 175 pounds.

Again, the victim is safe with us.

We’ll have more for a story once interviews are complete.”

Update 4:10 p.m.:

The victim of the suspected abduction has been located and is safe, according to Andrew Trygg, public information officer with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.

“We continue to follow leads on the suspect,” Trygg wrote in an email Sunday.

Initially Posted:

Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol on Sunday were searching for a suspect in connection with an abduction and shooting, authorities said.

According to CHP officer Jason Bice, CHP had three ground units and a helicopter assisting in the search. The incident happened in the area of the Country Store on Tyler Foote Road. Bice said he believes authorities known who the suspect is.

“They are still searching for a suspect,” Bice said at 2:20 p.m. Sunday.

According to scanner traffic, the victim may have been located.

This is a developing story. Check back with The Union for updates.