Man pleads not guilty to kidnapping, car theft charges in Hampton Beach carjacking

HAMPTON — A Maine man who is facing charges for allegedly carjacking a vehicle Friday with a mom and baby still inside, will remain behind bars.

David Tayes, 46, of Baldwin, pleaded not guilty Monday in Rockingham Superior Court on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, reckless conduct and two counts of kidnapping.

Judge Daniel St. Hilaire ordered Tayes to be held in preventive detention based on "clear and convincing evidence that you are a danger to the safety of the public."

Assistant County Attorney Marcia Rosenn requested Tayes be held without bail calling the facts in the case "extremely egregious and concerning."

Hampton police said they received two separate 911 calls Friday, Aug. 26, at about 11:55 a.m. reporting the carjacking of a Dodge Nitro that had been parked on the north side of the Underwood Memorial Bridge.

Previous story: Man allegedly carjacked a vehicle at Hampton Beach with a woman and child inside

The vehicle was occupied by two women and an infant in the back seat. When the woman who was driving got out of the vehicle, Hampton police said Tayes jumped in the car and took "off at a high rate of speed."

"This woman was in her vehicle with her baby who is less than a year old," Rosenn said. "The defendant who is a complete stranger to this woman jumped in her car and kidnapped her and her baby. She was screaming for help, doing everything she could to try and stop him from doing this and to get him out of the vehicle."

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While the mother of the child was screaming and begging for him to stop, Rosenn said Tayes allegedly asked her for methamphetamine.

Hampton police said the woman was able to put the car in park, after Tayes reached the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 286 and 1A in Seabrook. Tayes jumped out of the vehicle and fled after she threatened to call 911.

"At that point, thankfully, he did exit the vehicle, and no one was injured here," Rosenn said.

Tayes was arrested a short time later by Seabrook police.

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In custody, Rosenn said Tayes admitted to police to driving at a high speed, estimating that he was going over 80 mph over the 30 mph posted speed limit for the Underwood Memorial Bridge.

"He told police some very disturbing things about him being attracted to the victim and about wanting to engage in sexual acts with her and 'put a baby in her if she wanted,'" said Rosenn.

"Understandably the victim was completely terrified about what had happened," Rosenn said. "Based on those facts alone the state would request preventive detention."

Tayes was arrested hours before alleged carjacking, kidnapping

But there were other facts Rosenn said that made Tayes a risk to the public if released.

The same day of the alleged carjacking and kidnapping, Rosenn said Tayes was arrested by Hampton Falls police on charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

Tayes was also on bail for three other charges from the state of Maine. He was arrested Aug. 19 by Portland police on charges of assault and violating bail conditions. Tayes was also out on bail for a June 30 arrest out of Portland alleging robbery and theft and a June 10 arrest out of Bangor for criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.

Rosenn said this showed he was "unable to comply with bail orders."

Tayes also had previous convictions out of California for vandalism and North Carolina for disorderly conduct.

Tayes suffering from substance use disorder, other issues

Public Defender Deanna Campbell argued for a personal recognizance bail with the stipulation he gets treatment. 

"It is clear that he is somebody who is suffering from substance use disorder and there may be some other issues going on that perhaps have been undiagnosed," Campbell said.

"It would appear the behavior has escalated to this point. I would ask the court to allow for a personal recognizance bail if he is able to be seen at the New Hampshire Hospital or frankly any hospital or treatment facility given that it's clear there are other factors driving Mr. Tayes' behavior at this point."

St. Hilaire ruled that Tayes be held in preventive detention and that he has no contact with the alleged victims.

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"The facts as alleged in the affidavit are disturbing but you are also out on bail on four other recent charges," St. Hilaire said. "You also have convictions in multiple states."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Hampton Beach carjacking: Maine man pleads not guilty to kidnapping