Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest of Ohio Fugitive

The man was wanted for 25 counts of Rape out of Ohio.

Rape suspect Robert Michael Gebhardt of Parma, Ohio. Photograph Source: Lake County Sheriff's Office

(LAKEVIEW, Ore.) - An Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper's traffic stop Tuesday afternoon in the Lakeview, Oregon area led to the arrest of an Ohio fugitive wanted on multiple kidnap and sex crime offenses out of Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

According to Sergeant Steve Yates, on 4 January 2011 at approximately 3:00 p.m. OSP Trooper Scott Hill stopped a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser displaying Ohio license plates on Highway 395 near the Highway 140E intersection for a speed violation.

During the initial contact with the male and female occupants Hill suspected the male driver was providing a false name and date of birth. During that contact, the driver sped away for a short distance before stopping.

Hill and a Lakeview police officer took the male driver into custody. He was subsequently identified as 38-year old Robert Michael Gebhardt of Parma, Ohio. Gebhardt was wanted on a warrant held by Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office listing the following charges:

• Rape (25 counts)
• Gross Sexual Imposition (25 counts)
• Kidnap (24 counts)
• Intimidation of a Crime Victim or Witness

• Fugitive From Justice (Ohio warrant)
• Reckless Driving
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person
• Attempted Escape in the Second Degree
• Interfering with a Peace Officer
• Furnishing False Information to a Police Officer

Source: Lake County Sheriff's Office news release