Brockton Man Arrested for Kidnapping Stranger

RAYNHAM, MA — A Brockton man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly kidnapping a person in his home city he did not know, police said.

Nathaniel Simmons, 49, was arrested in Raynham and charged with kidnapping, assault and battery, assault, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for police, and negligent operation, according to the Raynham Police Department.

At 3 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to several calls for a disturbance at Walmart on Route 138. Witnesses told police that a man, identified as Simmons, assaulted a woman in the parking lot and fled in a Ford Taurus. When police found the vehicle on King Philip Street, Simmons allegedly refused to stop and sped away. Simmons crashed his car on Route 104 after rear-ending a vehicle stopped at a stop sign.

The victim told police she didn't know Simmons and he kidnapped her earlier in the day in Brockton, threatening and assaulting her during the day. While in the Walmart parking lot, the victim yelled for help and when witnesses responded, Simmons drove away.

During a police investigation, police recovered items thrown from the Taurus, including the victim's clothing and a machete.

Simmons is being held by police on $50,000 bail.

Image via Raynham Police Department