Elderly Man Foils Kidnapping Attempt in Oregon

An elderly man is being recognized as a local hero for risking his safety to stop an attempted kidnapping outside his home in Oregon.

The 85-year-old Good Samaritan, whose name hasn’t been disclosed, rushed out of his mobile home in the Medford area earlier this month after hearing a woman scream.

He confronted 42-year-old Matthew Hochley Aranda, who was armed with a Taser and trying to strangle a 25-year-old manager, according to reports from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

On May 8, the elderly man faced off against Aranda, providing enough time for the terrified victim to escape, although it’s alleged that Aranda taped the old man.

Aranda chased after the manager, wielding a large hunting knife, but she managed to escape just in time.

As she started her car, Aranda reportedly jumped onto the hood. In a dramatic moment, the woman was able to shake him off as she drove away, resulting in a broken leg for him, as seen in body camera footage released by law enforcement.

Authorities later found Aranda hidden in bushes, where he was moaning about his injuries before being apprehended.

Aranda had posed as a public utility worker and allegedly roamed the area for hours while looking for victims.

The current condition of both the elderly man and the young woman remains unclear.

Aranda was indicted on May 14 for several charges, including stalking, attempted kidnapping, and assault, among others.

Previously, in 2016, he faced charges related to the sexual exploitation and stalking of a minor. Some charges, including first-degree rape, were dismissed in a plea deal, and he was sentenced to just over six years in prison for that incident.