Bend Police arrested an Uber driver from La Pine on suspicion of kidnapping. The incident happened in Bend Tuesday night. According To BPD: At approximately 9 p.m. on Feb. 13, officers spoke with a woman who reported that she used the Uber app to order a ride to her Bend home, approximately 5 minutes from the pickup location. The Uber driver was identified in the app and picked her up at about 6:26 p.m.
At 6:29 p.m. the driver, identified as 48-year-old La Pine resident, canceled the ride and drove her around for 25 to 30 minutes despite her requests to take her to her house. After a half hour, he dropped the woman off at her home.
Officers searched the area and conducted a traffic stop in the area of NW Minnesota and NW Lava at approximately 11:18 p.m., stopping the 2023 Polestar 2 that the suspect was driving. The Uber driver was arrested and jailed on suspicion of second-degree kidnapping and second-degree disorderly conduct. Officers towed the vehicle and reported the allegations to Uber. This is an ongoing investigation.
