Klamath Falls Man Arrested in Springfield for Rape and Assault

The suspect was arrested over an alleged incident involving his ex-wife.

35-year old Francisco Javier de Los Santos Photo: Lane County Sheriff's Office

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - A Klamath Falls man was arrested by Oregon State Police troopers Tuesday night for allegedly raping and assaulting his estranged wife earlier in the evening.

An OSP spokesman says that around 11:19 PM, Trooper Andy Youngblood spotted a 2002 Peterbuilt truck pulling a semi-trailer northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 198. They were already on the lookout for the truck due to the rape and assault allegations.

The rape and assault had been reported about 90 minutes earlier on Highway 58, west of Highway 97, and was being investigated by OSP troopers and detectives after the 30-year old female victim called Klamath County 911 from the Crescent area to report what had happened.

She described her assailant as her estranged husband, 35-year old Francisco Javier de Los Santos of Klamath Falls.

The lead OSP detective said the victim, who does not live with the suspect, agreed to travel with him on his commercial route to the Tualatin area to deliver a load.

They had left the Klamath Falls area approximately 8:00 PM and pulled over a couple hours later on Highway 58 near milepost 69 so the victim could go to the bathroom.

Investigators say that after she returned, the suspect allegedly assaulted and raped the victim in the truck and then drove westbound before she got out of the truck near Crescent where she was able to report the crime.

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An attempt to locate on the vehicle and suspect was broadcast to police agencies along Highway 58 and Interstate 5, leading to the OSP trooper's contact and arrest of the suspect.

The victim was later treated and released for minor injuries at Sky Lakes Medical Center.

De Los Santos was lodged in the Lane County Jail for Rape in the First Degree and Assault in the Fourth Degree.
Source: Lane County Sheriff's Office