The kidnapping of a vulnerable adult in the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood ends with the victim being found and suspect arrested.
On Monday, September 16, 2024, at approximately 11:20 a.m., East Precinct officers were dispatched to the 14800 Block of Southeast Gladstone Street on the report of a kidnapping in progress. Officers learned that the victim, who lived in a group home for vulnerable adults, was a developmentally delayed 22-year-old woman who functioned at the level of a 5-year-old child.
Witnesses at the scene were able to give a description of the suspect’s vehicle, a white Dodge truck, and a direction of travel. Officers requested an immediate emergency “ping” of the victim’s phone and began to scour the area. Officers located the victim 20 minutes later in the 15100 Block of Southeast Gladstone Street. The victim had no obvious physical injuries but was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation and any needed treatment.
Special Victims Unit (SVU) Detectives were contacted, and officers from East and Central Precincts continued to search for the suspect. Based on immediately available physical evidence and victim statements, Detectives determined she had been the victim of a sexual assault.
At 12:56 p.m., officers located the suspect’s vehicle in the Sellwood Neighborhood and seized it. The suspect, Robert Joseph Bryant, 68, was arrested near the truck a short time later. Bryant is charged with Kidnapping in the Second Degree; Sex Abuse in the First Degree (two counts); Sex Abuse in the Third Degree; Attempted Assault in the Second Degree; and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
“Our hearts go out to the victim and her family,” said Chief Bob Day. “While I wish this horrendous crime had not occurred, I’m grateful to our Detectives and officers who responded and apprehended this suspect before he could harm anyone else.”
Anyone with information about this incident who has not yet spoken with police is asked to contact Detective Jonathan Kizzar at Jonathan.Kizzar@police.portlandoregon.gov or Detective Michael Bledsoe at Michael.Bledsoe@police.Portlandoregon.gov .
Source: Portland Police