Ex-boyfriend jailed as Bend police hunt for missing woman

(Update: No formal kidnap, other charges – only contempt of court)

A Bend man was arrested on kidnap and other charges in a raid on his apartment late Wednesday night as police continue to hunt for his missing ex-girlfriend, not heard from since earlier this week. But so far, he’s only been charged with contempt of court, for violating a restraining order involving the woman.

Police executed a search warrant shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday at the apartment of Bryan Michael Penner, 31, in the 1800 block of Northeast Purcell Boulevard after identifying him as a “person of interest” in the disappearance of Sara Diana Gomez, 24, who last was seen leaving her workplace at a northeast Bend grocery store Monday night.

Police Lt. Clint Burleigh said the raid turned up evidence “believed to be linked to the disappearance of Gomez.”

Penner was taken to the Deschutes County Jail and initially held on second-degree charges of kidnap, theft and criminal mischief. But he was arraigned only on contempt of court charges involving violation of an active restraining order involving Gomez He remained held Friday on $100,000 bail.

Further searches for the missing 24-year-old woman are planned in the ongoing investigation, Burleigh said in an updated news release, adding, “We are continuing to ask for the community’s help in locating Sara Gomez.”

At Thursday’s arraignment of Penner, a prosecutor told Circuit Judge Alta Brady evidence shows Gomez may have been the victim of foul play and could be in danger.

Penner’s is scheduled to be back in court on March 1.

Gomez’s friends and family were in the courtroom as Penner appeared by video from the jail.

Lauralyn Searcy told NewsChannel 21 Penner and Gomez were separated and he had a past of domestic violence.

“Everyone that knows Sara and knows Bryan knows that he’s violent and abusive,” Searcy said tearfully. “We’re just praying that he’s has her somewhere and that she’s not dead yet, because she’s like the sweetest person on the planet and she doesn’t deserve this, and we’ve been trying to get her out of this for a really long time.”

Court records show Penner was convicted in February 2017 of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and harassment and given 18 months probation, with several conditions, including not to consume or possess alcoholic beverages or go to any bars, taverns or other establishments were alcohol is served, as well as take anger management treatment.

A concerned friend of Gomez contacted Redmond police on Tuesday to report that she had not returned home for a few days. The information was forwarded to Bend police, Burleigh said.

Family members said she last was seen Monday night leaving work at the north Bend Albertsons, where she works in management, after the Third Street grocery closed for the night.

“This is just completely out of the ordinary with her,” said Elizabeth Fennell, her worried older sister. “Even 24 hours is unreal.”

Albertsons’ spokesperson Jill McGinnis sent out a statement via email.

“While we aren’t able to provide specifics on the open investigation, we are cooperating fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so. Our employees are understandably concerned about Sara and following the situation closely,” McGinnis said.

She described Gomez is about 5-foot-2 and 110 pounds, with brown eyes and long blonde hair.

Anyone who has seen Gomez or knows information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Bend police at 541-693-6911, or through their Facebook page or Twitter account.