Bend Police say Tuesday night they arrested 48-year-old Rocky Heath of La Pine on suspicion of kidnapping.
Authorities say Heath was driving for Uber at around 9:00 p.m. when they spoke with a woman who was being driven around instead of taken to her home as she requested.
Police say they made the arrest shortly after 11:00 p.m. near the intersection of NW Minnesota Ave and NE Lava Rd.
Uber released this statement Thursday:
“What’s been reported by the rider is unsettling and unacceptable. We removed the driver’s access to the Uber platform as we investigate and have reached out to law enforcement to offer our assistance.”
You can read the full release from Bend Police below:
Bend Police on Tuesday evening arrested an Uber driver on suspicion of kidnapping. At approximately 9 p.m. on Feb. 13, officers spoke with a woman who reported that she used the Uber app to order a ride to her Bend home, approximately 5 minutes from the pickup location. The Uber driver, identified in the app as Rocky, picked her up at about 6:26 p.m.
At 6:29 p.m. the driver, later identified as 48-year-old La Pine resident Rocky Heath, canceled the ride and drove her around for 25 to 30 minutes despite her requests to take her to her house. After a half hour, he dropped the woman off at her home.
Officers searched the area and attempted to find Heath’s vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of NW Minnesota and NW Lava at approximately 11:18 p.m., stopping the 2023 Polestar 2 that Heath was driving. Heath was arrested and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of second-degree kidnapping and second-degree disorderly conduct. Officers towed the vehicle and reported the allegations to Uber.
This is an ongoing investigation.
