Redmond, Ore. – Two 17 year old females from Prineville say they were at the Walmart parking lot in Redmond Wednesday night (around midnight) when the car would not start. They say two men pulled up and offered them to sit inside their SUV because it was cold.
The females say the men had a handgun and drove off with them inside. They told police they thought they were drugged and taken to a place in Christmas valley. They were able to escape and went to the Christmas Valley sheriff’s substation.
Yesterday evening, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a stolen vehicle Chevrolet Tahoe. It was believed the suspects that stole the vehicle were the same as the kidnapping suspects.
At about 9:15 PM an OSP Fish and Wildlife Trooper observed the stolen Chevy Tahoe northbound on Highway 31 south of Lapine in Klamath County. With the assistance of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office the vehicle was stopped near the Klamath/Deschutes County line and two males were detained.
The males were identified as 50 year old James Borchers of Portland and 32 year old Joseph Cheek of Christmas Valley. They were arrested for Kidnapping I and Rape I and will be booked into the Lake County Jail later today.
Law enforcement is seeking the public’s assistance on any information they may have. If anyone observed Cheek or Borchers in the area of Redmond Walmart the evening of September 23 or anywhere the day of September 24. The public’s assistance is also requested in locating a silver or gray Toyota 4-runner that the suspects were seen operating the night the incident occurred. Anyone with information is urged to call OSP Detective Pat Irish at 541-883-5713.
If you see local news happen, call the Horizon Broadcasting Group News Tip Hotline at 541-323-NEWS, or email us.
