Crime & Safety
Snellville Man Accused of Kidnapping Estranged Wife During Church
Matthew Ryan Boutelle has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, according to news reports.
According to the Newton Citizen, a Snellville man is charged with entering a church in Conyers on Sunday and kidnapping his estranged wife.
The incident took place around 4 p.m., while members of the Assembly Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses were taking a break from service. Matthew Ryan Boutelle, 24, then forced his wife to leave with him, according to the charges.
"He won't let me go," the victim mouthed to people in the parking lot.
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The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office said that Boutelle "forcibly walked" the victim to her car against her will, according to the Rockdale Citizen. He then sped out of the parking lot.
Witnesses initially reported a number of different tag numbers, but officers were eventually able to track down the suspect at his father's home and arrested him. The victim was at the home as well.
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The couple has been separated for around two months, which is around the time Boutelle was arrested for simple battery, according to the Newton Citizen.
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