The Banks Middle School. Photo: Chas Hundley
BANKS – An earlier lockout of schools in the Banks and Roy areas due to an attempted kidnapping near Highway 47 and Highway 6 has been lifted, a spokesperson for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office says.
A truck driver called 911 at 7:04 a.m. to report that he “saw a man try to forcibly get a woman into a vehicle” near the Highway 47 and 6 interchange, according to Deputy Brian van Kleef, a public information officer with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim was located safe and unharmed, while the suspect, described as a slender, white male in his early 40’s wearing a red t-shirt and blue jeans.
He left the scene on foot, and, with eight to ten units from the sheriff’s office searching, along with a K9 unit, schools nearby were placed on lockout to allow the K9 unit to work without potential interference.
In total, four schools, including the Banks Elementary, Middle School, and High School, as well as St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Roy were placed on a lockout, which has since been lifted.
Deputies have not yet located the suspect, but it is believed the suspect is known to the victim, and that there is no danger to the public.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.