PARIS — A Rumford man accused of kidnapping a man and trying to force him to take money out of an ATM pleaded not guilty to the charges Friday.
Randall J. Chapman, 37, of 48 Essex Ave. entered the plea via video monitor from Oxford County Jail to Oxford County Superior Court Justice Robert Clifford.
Chapman is charged with felony robbery, kidnapping and aggravated assault in a May 19 incident in Rumford. Police said he tried to force a man to withdraw money from an ATM at knifepoint.
Chapman was indicted by a grand jury in August.
Robbery and kidnapping convictions each carry a maximum of 30 years in prison; aggravated assault convictions carry a maximum 10 years in prison.
According to a police affidavit, a woman lured the victim into the apartment Chapman shared with 25-year-old Amber Cyr with the promise of buying drugs.
Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor told the court that the duo initially planned to scam the victim by selling false drugs, but Chapman changed his mind. He instead forced the victim into a car, stole money from his wallet and ordered the victim to drive to a inconspicuous ATM.
En route, the victim saw two police cruisers parked at a convenience store and tried to get the officers’ attention by pulling into the parking lot, according to a police affidavit. He informed the officers that Chapman attacked him before fleeing the vehicle toward the Androscoggin River.
The incident triggered a manhunt for Chapman along the riverbank. He was caught in Gray a week later.
Chapman has a long criminal record, including prison time for beating a 4-year-old girl and a 2-year old girl, O’Connor said.
His lawyer’s request to amend bail so he could be allowed to seek drug rehabilitation was denied.
Cyr, who was charged with Class A felony robbery in the incident, is out of jail and scheduled to appear in court for trial Jan. 1, 2015.
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