N.B. man faces kidnapping, 5 other charges
Written by on March 25th, 2010 in Latest News.
Romeo Jacques Cormier is led out of the Moncton courthouse after facing kidnapping and other charges in connection with the disappearance of a local woman. (CBC)
A 62-year-ancient Moncton man is facing six charges in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a woman who turned up frightened but safe Wednesday, a month after she vanished.
Romeo Jacques Cormier appeared in provincial court in Moncton on Thursday, charged with offences including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, stealing money using violence, assault with a weapon and uttering threats.
A court-ordered publication ban prohibits naming the victim.
The victim was allegedly held captive for nearly a month in the basement of the house where Cormier was boarding.
Her family says she’s doing well, considering what happened.
“We sat up all night talking,” a family member told reporters Thursday. “And I just couldn’t believe from what she’s been through, how fantastic she’s doing.”
The family had not talked to the victim since before she disappeared after leaving her office in downtown Moncton on Feb. 26.
Accused lived in boarding house
Romeo Jaillet said he lives in the same boarding house as Cormier. Jaillet described Cormier, who went in last September, as a nice person. The men said hello to each other every day.
“There was something fishy because yesterday … I seen him when he went to the food bank and he questioned me … ‘Did you see my girlfriend?’” Jaillet said.
“And you know I didn’t know what he was talking about, so I didn’t say nothing else you know. So I just kept it like nothing happened.”
Another neighbour said he saw a woman escape from the property on Wednesday.
Shawn Doiron said the woman ran out the driveway at around noon, wearing a T-shirt and panties and quickly waved down the driver of a Purolator truck.
“She jumped in the truck, she was really frightened,” Doiron said. “He had kind of looked really frightened. He looked toward me and then he sped off with her.”
