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Police looking for accused kidnapper in Fairhaven

E-mail|Link|Comments () October 23, 2009 03:15 PM

By Jack Nicas, Globe Correspondent

Fairhaven police are searching for a man accused of briefly kidnapping a woman at a supermarket in that town last week.

Eugene Fernandes

Eugene Fernandes, 45, of Wareham allegedly entered a 43-year-old woman’s car in a Fairhaven supermarket parking lot and forced her to drive him around. During the approximately 30-minute ride, he suggested he was armed, police said.

“He had her drive by a few locations, but they never stopped,” said Fairhaven Police Chief Michael Myers.

At one point, Fernandes forced the vehicle into park, removed the ignition key, and took the victim’s cellphone. Eventually she snatched her phone back and ran across the street for help. Fernandes then fled. He was last seen on Tallman Street in New Bedford, police said.

Fernandes is charged with kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery, breaking and entering into a motor vehicle, threats to commit a crime, and destruction of property. He has a lengthy criminal history in Fairhaven, New Bedford, and Wareham, according to police.

Fairhaven police are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to call 508-997-7421.