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Two people charged in Brunswick Walmart kidnapping, robbery

A woman was waiting in the Walmart parking lot for an acquaintance when an unknown man also got into her vehicle and pointed a gun at her, Brunswick police said.

BRUNSWICK, Maine — Two people from Maine are facing charges in connection with a kidnapping and robbery last month at the Brunswick Walmart.

In a release Friday, Brunswick police said that as a result of an investigation by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Portland Police Department, and the Department of Corrections Fugitive Unit, the following two people have been arrested and charged:

Emmanual Hurtado, 33, of Augusta

  • Kidnapping (class A)
  • Robbery (class A)
  • Aggravated reckless conduct (class B)
  • Criminal conspiracy (class B)
  • Criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon (class C)
  • Possession of a firearm by prohibited person (class C)
  • Violation of conditions of release (class E)
  • Theft by unauthorized taking (class E)

Katelynn McLaughlin, 30, of Portland

  • Kidnapping (class A)
  • Robbery (class A)
  • Aggravated reckless conduct (class B)
  • Criminal conspiracy (class B)
  • Criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon (class C)
  • Theft by unauthorized taking (class E)

Shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 24, a woman reported to police that she was parked in the Walmart parking lot waiting to meet McLaughlin, who police described in the release as an "acquaintance" of hers. When McLaughlin arrived and entered the vehicle, an unknown man, later identified as Hurtado, also got into the vehicle and pointed a gun at her, Brunswick police said in Friday's release.

Hurtado told her to start driving and kept pointing the gun at her, the release stated. McLaughlin was also still in the vehicle and, after about 20 minutes of driving, Hurtado exited the vehicle, police said.

Massachusetts State Police later arrested Hurtado, who had three loaded firearms and two bulletproof vests in his possession, according to Brunswick police.

When asked what the suspects allegedly robbed the driver of, Brunswick Police Chief Scott Stewart told NEWS CENTER Maine that, due to the status of the investigation, he could only say "personal property."

Hurtado is currently facing additional unrelated charges in Massachusetts and is being held at the Middlesex Jail and House of Corrections, the release stated.

McLaughlin is being held at the Cumberland County Jail, according to police.

The investigation is active, with additional charges expected, the release said.

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