Salem teen back home after harrowing ordeal

Aundreah Maes, 19, of Salem, was back home Wednesday. Police said Maes was abducted and taken on a crime spree from Salem to Northern California by Bend murder suspect Edwin Lara.

Maes arrived home Wednesday morning after her family drove through the night to pick her up. Police said Maes was abducted as she was leaving work from Ross Dress for Less in Salem at 8:45 p.m. Monday.

“She was getting ready to leave in her car and a guy jumped in and had a gun and abducted her,” said her great uncle, Jerry Miranda.

Maes’ family says Lara held her at gunpoint, then took her and her car on his crime spree through California . Miranda said neither he nor Maes knew Lara before the encounter.

Lara was a Central Oregon Community College security guard who allegedly murdered 23-year-old Kaylee Sawyer early Sunday.

“It’s a crazy thing. It could have been Aundreah, also,” Miranda said.

The family said it is not sure why Lara targeted Maes, but Miranda noticed some similarities between the two victims: “If you see the picture of the girl that was killed and then you see my great-niece, boy, they look a lot alike.”

Police said Maes was with Lara when he shot a man at a Yreka, California motel, then carjacked a car with a man’s family inside and led police on a high-speed chase. At first, police thought Maes was a suspect and arrested her, but after questioning her they realized she was a victim and she was released from jail.

Her family said they understand the confusion and don’t blame the police. They said they feel blessed that Maes is safe and are praying for the family and friends of Kaylee Sawyer.

Maes’ family said she wants privacy on her first day home, but is willing to share her story Thursday, in the hope that it may help others.