Two Arrested in East Hollis Street Variety Store Incident

Two Nashua men have been arrested in connection with a robbery at the East Hollis Street Variety Store incident on Oct. 27.

Ryan Paquin, 28, of Faxon Street in Nashua, was arrested at 12:19 a.m. on Oct. 28, and charged with felony robbery and disorderly conduct. Also arrested was Devin Coutu, 22, of Crown Street in Nashua, who was charged with criminal liability for conduct of another to robbery, a felony.

At just before noon on Oct. 27, police were called to the store for report of an armed robbery. A white male entered the store, brandished a knife, and fled with an undisclosed amount of money, according to the report. Surveillance photos and a description of the suspect were distributed to police and also released to the public.

At just before midnight on Oct. 27, an officer reportedly located Paquin in the suspected vehicle downtown and he was arrested.

Detectives also worked on the case and police started to piece information together about the incident.

“The investigation revealed that Paquin was the individual that entered the East Hollis Street Variety store and committed the armed Robbery,” according to Lt. James Testaverde of the department’s criminal investigations division. “The investigation also revealed that Devin Coutu was an accomplice to the Robbery by casing the business and driving Paquin away from the scene following the incident. A warrant was obtained for Coutu’s arrest.”

Coutu was later arrested. Both were held on $50,000 cash bail and arraigned today.

In convicted, they could face up to 15 years in prison and fines.

According to online reports, Paquin was arrested in August 2012 and charged with three counts of simple assault, as well as resisting arrest, conduct after an accident, and unauthorized use of propelled vehicle.

Coutu was arrested on April 7, of this year for tampering with witnesses and informants, according to a post on Patch.

Editor’s note: The following post was derived from information supplied by the Nashua Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a New Hampshire Patch arrest report.