An 85-year-old heroically thwarted a kidnapping attempt by subduing a man pretending to be a utility worker, officials reported.
Matthew Hokulii Aranda, 42, who is experiencing homelessness in the Medford area, was formally charged on May 14 by a Jackson County grand jury. The charges relate to a harrowing incident that occurred on May 8, as outlined by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
According to investigators, Aranda disguised himself as a utility worker and allegedly waited for several hours with the intention of targeting a 25-year-old woman. The woman, who was employed as a caregiver, was working at a mobile home park in rural Medford, Oregon.
Authorities revealed that upon the woman’s arrival, Aranda allegedly used a Taser to immobilize her before physically assaulting her.
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Matthew Hokulii Aranda, 42, was indicted on 10 charges after allegedly posing as a utility worker and lying in wait. (Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon)
That’s when, police said, a “hero” 85-year-old resident heard the woman screaming and confronted the armed suspect, giving the victim a chance to escape to her car, the sheriff’s office said.
Aranda then allegedly used the Taser on the elderly good Samaritan before chasing the woman with a large hunting knife.
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The victim managed to get inside her vehicle, but Aranda allegedly jumped onto the hood as she drove away. He fell off and was injured, authorities said.
Body-worn camera video shared by the sheriff’s office showed deputies and a K-9 locating Aranda hiding in some nearby bushes and taking him into custody. (Jackson Sheriff’s Office, Oregon)
Deputies later found Aranda hiding in a nearby bush and arrested him without further incident.
Video of the arrest captures authorities hot on the trail of the alleged attacker, with K-9 helping authorities.
As the suspect was pulled from the bushes, he is heard telling police that his “leg is broken.”
The suspect allegedly used a Taser on the victim and the elderly Good Samaritan before chasing the victim with a hunting knife. (Jackson Sheriff’s Office, Oregon)
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Aranda was charged with two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree attempted kidnapping, two counts of stalking, unlawful use of a GPS device, unlawful use of a weapon and menacing.
The sheriff’s office said the case remains under investigation.
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