Martinez-Cruz
CRESWELL – An adult woman was found safe in Creswell, after being kidnapped by a Eugene resident on July 18.
That Sunday, a missing person was reported at 1:58 a.m. in downtown Eugene, near West Broadway and Olive streets. Family and patrol officers canvassed the area but the victim was not found – until later that morning, when the victim awoke in a commercial shop on North Mill Street, and called out for help.
Alone in the commercial space, she awoke and exited the shop and called her family. Eugene Police Special Investigations Unit detectives and Creswell Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to conduct an investigation.
SIU detectives arrived at about 8:40 a.m. and observed a man in the area, later identified as Jesus Martinez Cruz, 23, of Eugene. Cruz was driving a white 2012 Ford Transport van and police said his behavior was suspicious. After Martinez-Cruz left the location, detectives followed him and ultimately found his vehicle at his residence in south east Eugene.
SIU detectives conducted further investigation with the help of Downtown Public Safety station manager, Lane Community College Public Safety and University of Oregon Police and SIU detectives developed probable cause for arresting Martinez-Cruz for Kidnapping in the Second Degree.
Martinez-Cruz was arrested and sent to the Lane County Jail for Kidnapping in the Second Degree.
The Eugene Police Department is concerned about the potential for any other victims. “This is an unusual type of case, and we want to make sure there aren’t any other victims,” said Melinda McLaughlin, public information director for Eugene Police. She could not provide more detail.
If anyone has had a similar incident, call 541-6825-144.
