City man charged with domestic kidnapping of girlfriend from gas station service booth
WOONSOCKET – A city man is facing charges of domestic kidnapping after he allegedly dragged his girlfriend from the service booth of a Social Street gas station Tuesday, where she was working as a cashier at the time.
The episode, reported by a co-worker of the victim, led police on a frantic search for the woman, who was found unharmed outside D&H Variety, a convenience store just over the city line in nearby Blackstone.
Douglas Fagundes, 21, was not with the woman, but police took him into custody from his home at 294 Diamond Hill Road at 8:31 p.m. – less than two hours after the incident was reported. He was also charged with domestic assault, domestic refusal to relinquish a telephone, and possession of some 14 ounces of marijuana that police found in his first-floor apartment. Police said they responded to the Speedway gas station after a worker reported that a 23year-old female cashier had been abducted from the office by someone later identified as Fagundes.
Police obtained footage from the station’s security camera in which Fagundes was seen arguing with the woman before he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her through the office door, according to Patrol Officer Alexander N. Simmons’ report. The officer said the camera footage showed the couple continuing to argue outside the service booth and Fagundes pulling her by the arm.
“The two could then be seen walking through the parking lot towards Social Street and then into the entrance to WWII Park, all while Douglas continues to hold her by the arm and pull her while he walked,” the officer reported.
At one point police managed to make contact with the woman on her cell phone. She told Sgt. Kevin Greenough she was outside a liquor store, but that’s all the information she provided before the call was abruptly disconnected. All available officers began checking liquor stores in the city in search of the victim.
A short time later, Officer Patrick McGourty found the woman in Blackstone, but Fagundes wasn’t with her.
Fagundes was later arrested at home without incident. Inside, police said they found six jars and a plastic bag of dried marijuana and approximately a dozen plants in some stage of cultivation.