Clackamas Sheriff's Deputies Seeking Suspects in Bagby Hot Springs Attack

An unidentified male subject,accompanied by a described pregnant female; robbed, menaced, smashed their automobile windows and physically assaulted a couple -- with a baseball bat, who had been visiting at Bagby Hot Springs.

(OREGON CITY) - When Joshua Lange and Julie Ann Degroot of Portland arrived at the Bagby Hot Springs parking lot on Monday, about an hour east of Estacada, they noticed that a car parked at this trailhead had visible signs of a vehicle break-in. This did not deter the couple, who then parked and began the 45-minute hike from the trailhead to the hot springs.

After a brief stay at the hot springs, Lange and Degroot were on the trail returning to the trailhead and heard car alarms activated in the distance in the trailhead parking lot.

Hurrying to get back to their car, the couple reached the parking lot at at approximately 8:00 PM.

Degroot and Lange told police they interrupted a male subject who was breaking into vehicles. Degroot also realized the driver side window of her automobile had been smashed. At the same time, they say the male subject approached Degroot very aggressively while armed with a baseball bat yelling, "Tell me you don't know my number – tell me you don't know my number – I'll bash your head-in!"

Police say the enraged suspect then engaged Lange while threatening with the bat and demanded his wallet, while he menacingly threatened to kill Lange with the bat. Lange surrendered his property on demand to the suspect; although compliant, Lange was immediately struck by the suspect several times with the baseball bat.

This suspect also demanded property from Julie Degroot, while violently striking her with the baseball bat, and taking property from her during this attack. Degroot was also compliant, but says this unprovoked suspect continued to smash the windshield of her automobile, then demanded that both Degroot and Lange disrobe prior to his departure from the scene.

The victims did not comply with this suspect's demand to disrobe. Julie Degroot later realized that her thumb had been pulverized during this assault.

Police say a third party, who was in the area and did not witness the event, came to their aid. This person provided a ride from the crime scene into Estacada, where the victims were able to report this "ferocious attack" to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

Both victims were interviewed in Estacada by a Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputy, and transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital, in Portland. Both are out of the hospital and are recovering from their respective injuries.

A Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, forensic sketch artist is with the victim couple tonight, creating an image of the male suspect responsible for these reported acts of violence identified as robberies, assaults and criminal mischief.

This forensic sketch will be published as soon as it is received by this Clackamas County Sheriff's Office of Public Information.

It has been revealed the victims had observed this suspect, accompanied by a pregnant female, earlier in the day at approximately 2:30 PM in the afternoon at the Promitory Store; just east of Estacada, along the Clackamas River.

The male suspect was accompanied by the same pregnanr female accomplice that was observed later in the day, during the attack at the Bagby Hot Springs trailhead.

Please note: The suspects were observed on two occasions, the same day, with two different types of automobiles. The suspect vehicles observed are described as:

The first suspect vehicle observed, occupied by the two suspects – while situated at the Promitory Store, is described as a 1987, Metallic blue, Toyota, Corolla, Hatchback.

The second suspect vehicle observed, occupied by the same two suspects – while utilized at the crime scene at the Bagby Hot Springs trailhead, is described as a mid 1990's, Purple in color, sedan, Grand Am type of automobile. This pregnant, female suspect was driving this vehicle at the time of the crime.

1. White, male, mid 20's, 5'09", 150 lbs, brown shaggy hair, unshaven face, and may possibly be named or referred to as "Chris". This male suspect was described to have been wearing a white, baseball hat – with black mesh on the rear of this hat.

2. White, female, mid 20's, 5'5", described to have brown, wavy hair – that may have been pulled back on her head. This female is further described as being an estimated 7 months pregnant in appearance.