Sweet Home Police Department Investigate Kidnapping

PRESS RELEASE

On 4-17-19 at approximately 1:45 pm, a 25-year-old distraught female came to the Sweet Home Police Department and reported that she just been held against her will and strangled at a residence in Sweet Home. The female victim, from the Sweet Home area, was interviewed by a Detective. The Detective learned that the incident had occurred at 1190 27th Avenue, Sweet Home, Linn County, Oregon. The suspect in the investigation was identified as Jacob Reginald Bliss, 44 YOA, who was reported to be living at that location. 

The Sweet Home Police Department and the Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (LINE) were currently investigating 1190 27th Avenue in Sweet Home for narcotic offenses. 

On 4/18/19, LINE and the Sweet Home Police Department began conducting surveillance on the property to locate Jacob Bliss and the property owner, 49-year-old Eric McKnight. At approximately 3:45 pm, Detectives observed a male and female enter a vehicle in front of the residence and leave. The male had gotten into the back seat of the vehicle and laid down in an attempt to not be seen. A Sweet Home Patrol unit followed the vehicle as it turned and parked on the 800 block of 22nd Avenue. As Officers contacted the female driver, the male, identified as Jacob Bliss, fled west on foot. Officers and Detectives chased him to the area of 18th Avenue where a Taser was deployed on his person and he was taken into custody. 

Jacob Bliss, 44 YOA, was charged with Kidnapping I, Strangulation, Assault IV and Theft III. He had a Linn County Circuit Court warrant for Failure to Appear I and Escape III, Theft III. He also had a Marion County Circuit Court warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine and Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon. 

On 04-18-19 approximately 6:24 pm, members of LINE, the Sweet Home Police Department, the Lebanon Police Department and the Oregon State Police executed a Search Warrant on the property at 1190 27th Avenue, Sweet Home, Linn County, Oregon. Seven individuals were located and detained on the property. They included Michael Joseph Cornish, 50 YOA, Tate Edward Madson, 23 YOA, Jessica Laren Casagrande, 31 YOA, Ryan Dylan Thompson, 31 YOA, Eric Wayne McKnight, 49 YOA, Brittny Ann Mahlee Gibson, 30 YOA, and Honey Rose Lawson, 33 YOA. 

Eric Wayne McKnight, 49 YOA, was arrested on an outstanding Oregon State Parole Board warrant for Abscond. He was transported and lodged at the Linn County Jail. 

Tate Edward Madson, 23 YOA, was arrested on a Mendocino, California warrant for Failure to Appear on a Felony Assault. He was transported and lodged at the Linn County Jail. 

Brittny Ann Mahlee Gibson, 30 YOA, was arrested on an Albany Municipal Court warrant for Failure to Comply on a Theft III. She was cited and released in the field. 

During a search of the residence, Detectives located drug paraphernalia, scales, packaging material, a surveillance system and other evidence of items consistent with the Delivery of Controlled Substances. 

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected. Anyone with information associated with this residence is encouraged to contact Detective Cyndi Pichardo at the Sweet Home Police Department, 541-367-5181.

JWL 4-19-19
2019-02210