Man accused of kidnapping mother, 2 kids in Washington before fleeing to Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A man accused of kidnapping a mother and two young children was arrested in Lane County in Oregon on Tuesday after fleeing authorities in Vancouver, Washington, officials said.
The Lane County Sheriff's Office learned 53-year-old Bart Stephanie had eluded police and had driven the woman and children to the area against their will around 1 a.m.
About 30 minutes later, officials say deputies found Stephanie driving in Jasper, Oregon, but said he led them on a chase. Stephanie allegedly drove through a privately owned yard, a fence and into a pasture where deputies say they pinned his rented pickup truck.
The Sheriff's Office said the woman suffered a head injury from an earlier assault with Stephanie. The two children were not harmed.
All three were provided temporary housing at a local hotel.
Stephanie was treated for minor injuries before being lodged at the Lane County Jail. He is charged with three counts of second-degree kidnapping, elude by vehicle, reckless driving, reckless endangering, second-degree criminal trespass and first degree criminal mischief.