Woman Kidnapped Convict Uses Dating Apps While Running: Police

A suspect accused of torturing a woman used dating apps on the run less than two years after he was convicted of kidnapping and torturing another woman, authorities announced Jan. 27. NBC News.

Grants Pass Police said Benjamin Obadiah FosterThe 36-year-old is “actively using online dating apps to contact unsuspecting individuals who may lead the suspect on the run or potentially become additional victims,” ​​amid a manhunt in an update on the case.

Foster has recently been charged with attempted murder, kidnapping and assault and is accused of trying to kill the victim while “deliberately torturing” her and holding her captive “in a place where she is unlikely to be found,” a court document said. written by Josephine County District Attorney Joshua Eastman acquired by the Associated Press.

Grants Pass police, Josephine County sheriff’s deputies, the Oregon State Police SWAT team and federal agents made the arrests last Thursday (Jan. 26). Tina Marie JonesHe is 68 for hindering prosecution after authorities raided a property in Wolf Creek, an unincorporated community about 20 miles from Grants Pass, and impounded Foster’s car. Foster managed to escape during the raid NBC News.

According to reports, Jones followed Foster to the remote location in a vehicle and drove the suspect to the property before the police raid that led to his arrest.

Foster previously held his then-girlfriend captive in his Las Vegas apartment for two weeks in 2019 before she managed to escape. The suspect was originally charged with five felonies, including assault and battery, but agreed with Clark County prosecutors to plead guilty to one count of battery and one misdemeanor charge of domestic violence.

Foster, who later moved to Oregon, was sentenced to up to 2.5 years in a Nevada prison, but after already serving 729 days in jail while awaiting trial, he was instead sentenced to just 200 more days in state custody. Grants Pass Police Chief Warren Hensman In a phone interview, he called Foster’s situation “extremely troubling,” now charged with attempted murder instead of serving prison time for previous crimes. the AP.

“We are laser-focused on capturing this man and bringing him to justice,” Hensman said at a news conference on Thursday (January 26). “It’s an all-hands-on-board operation.”

Police responded to the Grants Pass area Tuesday (Jan. 24) to investigate an assault, but Hensman declined to discuss how the department was notified. The arriving police officers found a woman tied up and beaten unconscious at the scene, who was taken to the hospital, her condition is critical.

“This is a very serious incident, a brutal attack on one of our residents, which we take extremely seriously,” Hensman added. “And we won’t rest until we catch this individual.”

Authorities announced Friday that they are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to Foster’s arrest and prosecution.