PORTLAND, Ore. — Warning: Some of the details in this story may be disturbing to readers.
A man was arrested Monday for kidnapping and sexually abusing a woman with developmental disabilities, the Portland Police Bureau said Wednesday.
Officers learned that the woman, who lived at a group home for vulnerable adults in Southeast Portland, had been taken around 11:20 a.m. on Monday. Employees told police the 22-year-old is intellectually disabled and functions at the level of a 5-year-old child.
An employee saw the woman get into a man's white Dodge truck, telling police that they attempted to stop the driver from leaving by standing in front of his truck. The employee had to jump out of the way as the man drove the truck at him, according to court documents.
Witnesses gave officers a description of the man and his truck. Police requested an emergency "ping" of the woman's phone and were able to locate her about 20 minutes later, less than a quarter mile away.
The woman told officers that the man "touched her" and gave her money. Officers found $20 in her pocket. She was transported to a hospital in an ambulance for evaluation and any needed treatment. While there, she reported that the man had sexually abused her.
About an hour later, around 12:56 p.m., officers located the truck in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood and arrested 68-year-old Robert Joseph Bryant. He told detectives that he thought the woman was in a domestic dispute, and he was trying to help her get away, according to court documents.
Bryan has been charged with second-degree kidnapping, two counts of first-degree sex abuse, and one count each of third-degree sex abuse, second-degree attempted assault and unlawful use of a weapon.
"Our hearts go out to the victim and her family," said Portland Police Bureau 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.
Resources
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault and needs support, help is available. You can contact the Sexual Assault Resource Center at 503-626-9100. They are located at 4900 Southwest Griffith Drive, Suite 135, in Beaverton. The Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN) National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or rainn.org. It is available 24/7.
The Multnomah County Victims’ Assistance Program provides support during the reporting of sexual assaults and referrals to victim services and resources. They can be reached at 503-988-3222.
Call to Safety provides access to advocacy services, including confidential peer support, information and referrals to community resources. The 24-hour crisis line is 503-235-5333 or 1-888-235-5333.
Project UNICA/Proyecto UNICA provides access to advocacy services for Spanish-speaking survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Its 24-hour crisis line is 503-232-4448 or 1-888-232-4448.