Attempted Murder / Kidnapping Suspect Arrested in Clackamas County

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - At 12:12 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 2009, a frightened Spanish speaking female came to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, reporting she had been shot at while traveling along I-205 near SW Stafford Road and was forced to accompany this armed suspect to an unidentified remote location near Battle Ground, Washington.

Detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, says after several hours elapsed, this courageous victim was able to seize the suspect's handgun when he fell asleep and flee on foot from the suspect vehicle.

The victim of this case is identified as 26-year old Yesenia Vehar-Fombona; who resides with her two children in Beaverton. Ms. Vehar-Fombona had recently severed her relationship with the suspect in this case, Strovink said.

"This shocking chain of events all started when the victim's estranged boyfriend arrived at her place of employment known as the El Vaquero, located on SE McLaughlin Boulevard, in Milwaukie," Strovink said.

"The suspect is reported to have been drinking and followed the victim to her vehicle when she finished her shift around 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning. This suspect was attempting to talk with and influence Yesenia Vehar-Fombona to be with him –- she refused his persistent advances, and drove from the parking lot in the direction of her home and children."

The suspect reportedly followed the victim in his automobile along I-205 and initiated a call to the victim on her cell phone stating, "If you don't pullover now I'm going to kill you!"

It was then the suspect pulled alongside the victim's vehicle and discharged at least one round from his handgun into the driver's side of the moving Yesenia Vehar-Fombona automobile as they proceeded along I-205, near the Stafford Road exit, Strovnik said.

"In fear for her life, she pulled over to the edge of the freeway and was forced into the armed suspect vehicle. The suspect is reported to have transported the victim in his vehicle to an isolated, rural location, near Woodland or Battle Ground, Washington."

This is an area described as a location that is commonly used for recreational target shooting and maybe a former gravel pit type location. Clackamas County Sheriff's Office investigators would like to identify this precise location.

Strovink says upon arriving at this remote location the suspect continued with this threats and actions to kill Yesenia.

"After several hours while being held against her will with the armed suspect parked in this secluded area, the suspect fell asleep and Yesenia Vehar-Fombona was able to slip the handgun from the sleeping suspect and fled from her abductor."

Photo shows where a round struck the woman's black Acura

Strovink says that as she fled from the suspect vehicle, an oncoming vehicle stopped and picked-up Yesenia, who was waving for a ride.

"This unidentified female Good Samaritan is described to have only been able to speak English, and believed unable to communicate effectively with the Spanish only speaking Yesenia Vehar-Fombona."

"This Good Samaritan provided Yesenia a ride to a Chevron gas station, located in Battle Ground, Washington. Upon arrival at the station, Yesenia exited and immediately sought refuge in the gas station restroom."

Strovink says the Good Samaritan was probably not aware that while performing this good deed, the suspect woke up and had followed Yesenia and the Good Samaratan to the Chevron gas station.

"While providing this ride for Yesenia, Yesenia was receiving text messages from the suspect on her cell phone warning her not to tell the police –- and that he had an accomplice, who would harm her and her children if she spoke with the police."

Strovink says while seeking refuge in the restroom, Yesenia emptied the handgun and disassembled this weapon into several pieces that she concealed in her clothing. After a brief period of time, the gas station attendants detected something was peculiar and notified the Battle Ground Police Department who responded to the scene.

"Battle Ground Police summoned to the station contacted both Yesenia Vehar-Fombona and the suspect at the gas station. Out of concern for her children and for her own welfare, Yesenia did not reveal or convey to Battle Ground Police any of the traumas she had been experiencing from the suspect. Out of pure fear she withheld the truth of the circumstances to the inquiring officers and no further police action was required or pursued."

Next, Yesenia summoned her ex-husband, who responded providing Yesenia a ride home and learned of all the criminal acts and danger surrounding the ordeal his ex-spouse had endured. Yesenia then elected on her own volition to respond to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and report the real facts surrounding her ordeal.

Upon learning of these criminal acts, Clackamas County Sheriff's detectives were summoned to pursue this ongoing investigation. In addition, a victim assistant arrived to aid the victim through this reporting process.

Later on Saturday evening, at 6:50 p.m. the identified suspect in this case was arrested by Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Patrol Personnel and Detectives -- without incident -- as he was traveling in his vehicle near 12101 SE 82ND Avenue, in Happy Valley. The suspect was driving his black 2008 Dodge Charger, which was used earlier during this described crime spree.

Strovink says the suspect in this case is identified as 33-year old Jose Guadalupe Pinedaleon of Vancouver, Washington. Pinedaleon has been lodged in the Clackamas County Jail with the related charges identified as attempted murder, and first-degree Kidnapping.

Pindaleon is scheduled to be arraigned on these matters Monday, November 16, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. in Clackamas County Circuit Court.

Strovink says Clackamas County Sheriff's investigators are anxious to identify the Good Samaritan woman who stopped to assist and provided a ride for the victim to the Chevron Station, located in Battle Ground, Washington, Saturday morning – between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m.

The person of interest is described as a white, female, 25-30 years of age, with light brown hair. This person was in operation of an older, dark gray colored, sport utility vehicle. Strovink says investigators would like to interview with this Good Samaritan concerning this ongoing investigation.

"The victim in this case was very scared and in fear of her life -- and especially for the welfare of her children during this experience. This victim is very grateful for all the help she has received."

The victim vehicle in this case, which the victim was forced to abandon along I-205, near the Stafford Road exit at approximately 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning -- is described as a late model black Lexus 4-door sedan.