On Sunday evening in northeast Salem, what started as an ordinary outing turned into a terrifying scramble, as police say a man tried to grab a 3-year-old boy before the child's father fought him off. The father wrestled his son free and stopped the attempted abduction, according to Salem police, who arrested the suspect at the scene and later booked him into the county jail. Neighbors described the confrontation as frightening, and detectives say the investigation is still very much underway.
What Police Say About The Arrest
According to the Salem Police Department, officers were called to the 2500 block of Rose Garden Street NE at about 5:42 p.m. on Sunday. There, they arrested 38-year-old Lino Lopez Palafox on suspicion of attempted kidnapping in the first degree.
The department's media release states that Palafox and the child did not know each other before the incident. Police say the child's father was able to regain control of his 3-year-old son, preventing the abduction. Detectives have not released additional details while they continue to investigate.
Custody And Next Steps
Salem police say Palafox was lodged at the Marion County Jail, and the agency directed further inquiries to the Marion County District Attorney's Office, according to the release. For custody and booking information, members of the public can check the Marion County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup.
Prosecutors will review the police investigation and decide what charges, if any, are formally filed in the case.
What The Law Says
Under Oregon law, kidnapping in the first degree applies when a person unlawfully restrains or moves someone else for certain purposes, such as causing physical injury or terrorizing the victim. The crime is defined in state statute as ORS 163.235, available via the Oregon Legislature.
Sentencing rules for serious person felonies, including Measure 11 mandatory minimums, appear under ORS 137.700, which can be found on Oregon Public Law. Any allegation of attempted first-degree kidnapping in this case would be handled through Marion County courts if prosecutors decide to bring charges.
Investigation Ongoing
The Salem Police Department's release states that the investigation remains active and that anyone with information is asked to contact investigators. The agency posted its media release on social media; full details are available in the Salem Police Department Facebook post.
