Police arrested a Sweet Home man Thursday in connection to the alleged kidnapping and assault of a 25-year-old Sweet Home female.
Jacob Reginald Bliss, 44, was charged initially with first-degree kidnapping, strangulation, fourth-degree assault and third-degree theft and lodged at Linn County Jail. He also was arrested on a Linn County warrant for failure to appear, third-degree escape and third-degree theft and a Marion County warrant for possession of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a restricted weapon.
Bliss was arraigned Friday, April 19, and the district attorney filed charges of first-degree kidnapping, strangulation, interfering with making a report, unauthorized use of a vehicle and coercion.
In addition to the charges listed in the warrants, Bliss has another open case in Linn County Circuit Court, where he faces charges of second-degree criminal trespass, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, failure to appear and two counts of felon in possession of a restricted weapon.
Bliss is next scheduled for a hearing on May 6 in Linn County Circuit Court.
At about 1:45 p.m. on April 17, a distraught 25-year-old female went to the Sweet Home Police Department and reported that she had just been held against her will and strangled at a residence in Sweet Home, said Police Chief Jeff Lynn. A detective interviewed the woman and learned that the incident had occurred at 1190 27th Ave.
During the investigation, police identified Bliss as a suspect, Lynn said. Bliss was reported to be living at that location.
Sweet Home police and the Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team were already investigating that address for narcotics offenses, Lynn said. On Thursday, Sweet Home police began conducting surveillance of the property to locate Bliss and the property owner, 49-year-old Eric McKnight.
At about 3:45 p.m., detectives observed a male and female enter a vehicle in front of the residence and leave, Lynn said. The male had gotten into the back seat of the vehicle and had lain down in an attempt not to be seen, the chief said.
A Sweet Home patrol unit followed the vehicle as it turned and parked in the 800 block of 22nd Avenue, Lynn said. Officers contacted the female driver. The male, identified as Bliss, fled west on foot. Officers and detectives chased him to the area of 18th Avenue where an officer used a TASER electronic stun device to take Bliss into custody.
At about 6:24 p.m., members of LINE, SHPD, Lebanon Police Department and Oregon State Police executed a search warrant on the property, locating seven individuals, Michael Joseph Cornish, 50; Tate Edward Madson, 23; Jessica Laren Casagrande, 31; Rayn Dylan Thompson, 31; McKnight; Brittny Ann Mahlee Gibson, 30; and Honey Rose Lawson, 33.
McKnight was arrested on a state Parole Board warrant for absconding. Madson was arrested on a Mendocino, Calif., warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of felony assault. They were transported to Linn County Jail. Gibson was cited and released at the scene on an Albany warrant for failure to comply on an original charge of third-degree theft.
During the search of the residence, detectives located drug paraphernalia, scales, packaging material, a surveillance system and other items consistent with delivery of controlled substances, Lynn said.
The investigation is ongoing, and police anticipate additional charges, Lynn said. Anyone with information associated with the residence is asked to contact Det. Cyndi Pichardo at SHPD, (541) 367-5181.