KIDNAPPING AND DRUG MONEY

Victim Safe and Three Suspects Arrested in Kidnapping Incident
Salem-News.com

Police believe the kidnapping may have been related to drug money.

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - Deputies in Clackamas County say three male subjects armed with a handgun kidnapped a man from his home this morning at 7:30 AM, while the woman he lived with hid and managed to get a text message out.

Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, says the couple was in their 5th wheel trailer dwelling this morning at 7:30 on SE Foster Road in Damascus, when the suspects entered the residence and kidnapped the male victim; while the remaining female occupant was hiding in the rear of this 5th wheel residence and text messaging her mother about the ongoing armed encounter.

Strovink said, "The mother of this text messaging female victim immediately notified the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office dispatch center relaying this prompt and vital information. Responding Clackamas County Sheriff's Office patrol personnel arrived on the scene just minutes after the three armed suspects departed this residence with their kidnapped victim, who is not identified at this time."

Clackamas County Sheriff's deputies broadcasted the suspect information and anticipated route of travel to local law enforcement, Strovink said.

"A short time later, all three of the suspects and the victim were located during a traffic stop peacefully performed by the Gresham Police Department. On this occasion, no injuries were reported by the victim, or the three suspects apprehended at the scene by the Gresham Police."

Investigators indicate that at least one of the armed suspects was known to the victims, and that it is also mentioned this kidnapping incident may be drug and money related.

The traffic stop also resulted in the recovery of a stolen automobile; the very one the suspects were operating at the time of the stop. This vehicle had been previously stolen in Portland and reported as stolen to the Portland Police Bureau, Strovink added.

The three suspects were transported from the arrest location of 1136 NE 181st Street in Portland, and lodged in the Clackamas County Jail. Strovink says the suspects are with investigators who are presently conducting interviews.