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Public Info Sought in Kidnapping and Rape

REDMOND, OR -- Oregon State Police are looking for witnesses who may have information on a reported sexual assault, Wednesday night. Two 17-year-old Prineville girls contacted the Lake County Sheriff's Office Thursday afternoon to report they had been kidnapped from the Redmond Walmart at about midnight, Wednesday night.

 

The girls were were at Walmart when their car wouldn't start. They told investigators two men pulled up in a silver SUV and offered to let them sit in their car to get out of the cold. When the teens sat down, the men pulled a handgun and drove off with them inside.

 

The victims believe they were drugged and fell unconscious. They recalled being on Highway 20 east of Bend, then at a residence in Christmas Valley. Sometime during the day, they say they managed to escape. The Lake County Sheriff, Oregon State Police and Redmond Police immediately launched an investigation. 


Early Thursday evening, the Lake County Sheriff's Office took a report of a stolen Chevrolet Tahoe. Investigators believe the car was taken by the same men who allegedly kidnapped the girls from Redmond. At 9:15 Thursday night, OSP observed the vehicle on Highway 31 south of La Pine in Klamath County. The vehicle was stopped and two men were detained.

 

The suspects were identified as 50-year-old James Borchers of Portland and 32-year-old Joseph Cheek of Christmas Valley. Both were arrested for Kidnapping I and Rape I. 

 

Anyone who may have seen the two men near the Redmond Walmart on Wednesday, September 23 or anywhere on Thursday, September 24 are asked to contact Detective Pat Irish at 541-883-5713. Investigators are also looking for a silver or gray Toyota 4-runner that the suspects were seen operating the night in question. 

 

Joseph Cheek

 

  

James Borchers

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