LYNN — A Lynn man is in jail facing a slew of charges including kidnapping and assault.
James Legault, 24, of 36 Bruce Place, was arrested Thursday night and charged with domestic assault and battery, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a class B drug, possession of a class C drug, possession of a class E drug and violating the city’s knife ordinance, according to records obtained from Lynn District Court.
Judge James Lamothe ordered Legault held on $2,000 cash bail at his arraignment on Friday.
According to court records, officers in an unmarked car saw a dark-colored Ford parked in the middle of Buffum Street that was “shaking from side to side.”
Officers reported they could hear a female yelling, “Let me go,” and the report states “it appeared two people were fighting each other inside the car.”
The report states officers approached the car, which then sped off a short distance and then stopped. Officers observed the male passenger, later identified as Legault, “make a sudden lunge toward the back seat and then cover this area with a large blue blanket,” said the report.
Officers removed Legault from the car and the report states police found a “blue/black switch blade knife between his feet.”
The female driver stated Legault had a knife, said the report. Police also found a small yellow baggy containing several pills, said the report.
According to the report, Legault told police he and the woman were fighting because he believed she stole his marijuana.
The woman told police that she repeatedly tried to get Legault to get out of the car but he refused and pulled a knife, said the report. The report also states the woman told police that Legault jerked the steering wheel to try and crash the car and she tried to pull into a gas station for help but no one would help her.
The woman told police she continued driving “while being held against her will” until she stopped on Buffum Street.
The report states Legault denied pulling the knife and said the woman hit him in the hand, which she claimed was self-defense. Legault admitted to taking three Klonopins, said the report. Police also found seven Clonazepams, four Gabapentins and one piece of Suboxone in the yellow bag, said the report.
Legault is due back in court on Feb. 7.
Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].
