Kidnapping in Peacham / Danville area

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Created on Monday, 27 February 2023 14:21

Written by Lexi Foley

Around the NEK- Mack Varnum, 45, and Nichole Cloutier, 36, of Peacham were arraigned in court on Monday February 27th 2023, for multiple charges including attempted kidnapping, attempted first degree murder, unlawful restraint in the first degree, aggravated domestic assault and aggravated assault. 

According to the affidavit, on February 23rd 2023, St. Johnsbury police and fire responded to a call about a woman with her hands and feet bound with duct tape along with a bag partially covering her face after she was spotted inside of a vehicle on Bay Street. She was he was freed by first responders and taken to a local hospital for treatment. The victim was later identified as Colleen Rodriguez, 34, of Peacham Vermont.  

According to the affidavit, Rodriguez was picked up off the side of the road by Varnum and Cloutier. Once inside the truck, Rodriguez was restrained and bound with duct tape on her hands, feet and mouth. Her life was then threatened for several hours as Varnum and Cloutier drove around the Danville and Peacham area. 

At one point the pair stopped at Marty's 1st Stop in Danville where Vernum bought gloves, duct tape and gasoline. Vernum threatened to pour gasoline on Rodriguez and burn her to death on the side of the road, reportedly telling her that it wasn't his first time doing this. 

Cloutier then asked to be brought back home because she didn't want to see Rodriguez get burned. Once at the house Rodriguez was then left alone in the truck where she was able to break free from the duck tape and drive herself to Bay Street in St. Johnsbury where the truck eventually ran out of gas. 

According to police, Varnum and Cloutier were later arrested at Varnum's residence without incident. They are being  held without bail.

During Monday's hearing both Vernum and Cloutier were present via webcam from jail. Vermont Superior Court Judge Justin P. Jiron declined to drop any of the charges against Cloutier as she met the criteria for all listed charges. Upon finding out no charges would be dropped, Cloutier walked off camera and returned to her assigned bunk without finishing the proceeding. Due to this, Judge Jiron decided to keep bail in place for her. 

Vernum was being represented by attorney Joe Benning who invoked the 24 hour rule due to a personal conflict of interest.  Because of that personal conflict of interest, he chose to step down as Vernums attorney. Varnum appeared in court again on Tuesday, February 28th 2023, represented by a new attorney,  and after debate, was arraigned on attempted first degree murder charges. When asked if there was anything unusual about the case, Deputy State Attorney Thomas Pau stated, “We don't normally see cases like this where someone is duct taped and driven around and threatened to be burned with gasoline. So to that extent it's unusual.” 

The next hearing will be a evidentiary hearing, where the evidence of the case will be examined more closely. This hearing has not been scheduled yet, but according to deputy state attorney Thomas Paul, it is likely to occur in the next three weeks.