Redmond PD hunts for man who tried to kidnap boy, 5, at fair

Redmond police have turned to the public for any leads to help find a man who apparently tried to abduct a 5-year-old boy from his family at the Deschutes County Fair early Sunday morning.

Officers responded around 12:18 a.m. to the fairgrounds on Southwest Airport Way to investigate the reported kidnap attempt, said Lt. Jesse Petersen.

Officers were told an approximately 20-year-old white male, wearing black clothing and a black hat, had tried to take a family’s 5-year-old son.

They said the man was discovered while escorting the child south, away from the south gate entrance, nearest the livestock barns, Petersen said. The suspect reportedly ran west, away from the scene.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded with a search dog and an extensive search of the area was conducted, without success.

“Based on statements learned during the investigation, this appears to be a legitimate abduction” attempt, the lieutenant told NewsChannel 21..

In a news release, Petersen said, “The Redmond Police Department wants our community feel safe and would like to remind those supervising children to maintain a watchful eye on them and to make sure they are close by at all times.”

“We also want to hold those people accountable who harm or attempt to harm our children,” he added.

“We understand how valuable our community is in preventing and solving crime,” Petersen wrote. “We are asking for the community’s assistance in identifying and holding accountable the person who attempted to take the child from his family.”

“If anyone in the community has information on the attempted abduction, the suspect or his whereabouts, please contact the Redmond Police Department at (541) 504-3400, or through the non-emergency dispatch number at (541) 693-6911.

Petersen said Redmond police want to thank the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for their help in the investigation, also thanking in advance the public for any information it can provide.