On October 18, around 12:10 p.m., police responded to information of a kidnapping involving a male suspect who threatened a 19-year-old woman, known to him, with a knife and forced her into his vehicle in the area of 8th Avenue and High Street. The suspect, Luke Lockee Deitemeyer, age 38, of Springfield, then drove northbound on Oak Street with the victim. Police officers attempted to stop the suburban, driven by Deitemeyer, and he subsequently fled the stop after it appeared that he was pulling over. The two traffic safety officers attempting to stop the fleeing vehicle crashed and the two involved officers sustained non life threatening injuries. Deitemeyer was also involved in a Hit and Run and continued to drive after the suburban collided with another vehicle.
Police located Dietemeyer and the victim in Junction City and he was taken into custody on charges related to the kidnapping. The victim sustained a laceration during the incident and was transported to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.
Springfield Police Department, Junction City Police Department, Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police were all involved with assisting in the location of the suspect and victim.