Uber Driver Arrested in Bend on Kidnapping Charge, Bend Police Say

Bend Police reported on Tuesday night that they have arrested 48-year-old Rockey Heath of La Pine on suspicion of kidnapping. According to authorities, Heath was working as an Uber driver around 9:00 p.m. when he picked up a female passenger.

The incident occurred when the woman requested to be taken to her home but was driven around instead. Police made the arrest at approximately 11:00 p.m. near the intersection of NW Minnesota Ave and NE Lava Rd.

The Bend Police released a statement providing more details about the incident. According to the statement, the woman used the Uber app to order a ride to her Bend home, which was only a 5-minute drive from the pickup location. The Uber driver, identified in the app as Rocky, picked her up at around 6:26 p.m.

However, at 6:29 p.m., the driver, later identified as Rocky Heath, cancelled the ride and drove the woman around for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, ignoring her requests to be taken home. Eventually, after half an hour, he dropped her off at her residence.

Following the incident, officers conducted a search in the area in an attempt to locate Heath’s vehicle. They subsequently conducted a traffic stop near NW Minnesota and NW Lava at approximately 11:18 p.m. Heath was driving a 2023 Polestar 2 at the time of his arrest.

Rockey Heath was arrested and is currently being held at the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of second-degree kidnapping and second-degree disorderly conduct. The officers also towed his vehicle and reported the allegations to Uber.

The investigation into this incident is still ongoing, and Bend Police are working diligently to gather all the necessary evidence.

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