Sonora, CA…On Friday March 10th just before 6:00 in the morning Sonora Police Department Officers and an ambulance responded to the area of Shepherd and Lyons Street, for a report of a kidnapping victim with injuries. The victim was taken to the hospital with major injuries while Tuolumne County Sheriff’s deputies were requested to take over the investigation.

Detectives from the Tuolumne County Investigations Division responded to continue the investigation. The victim told detectives she had been kidnapped and assaulted by 20-year-old Jacob Chapman of Soulsbyville, the night before. The victim told detectives she gave Chapman a ride to his home near Red Heather Drive, and upon arrival, he attacked her, striking her multiple times in the head with a flashlight. Chapman held the victim against her will and prevented her from escaping.

Chapman threatened the woman with a gun, telling her to drive to multiple locations. Chapman forced the victim to provide him with her bank account information by threatening the victim with death if she did not comply. Chapman bound the victim’s wrists and ankles with duct tape, continuously threatening her with death if she tried to escape. Chapman drove the victim to various locations, before tying her up and leaving her inside the vehicle. The victim was able to escape and flagged down a community member for help.

Detectives continued their investigation. Detectives confirmed Chapman was armed with a firearm and may have been dropped off near the bathrooms of Columbia State Park. Due to the severity of the crimes, a protective sweep of the Columbia area and state park was conducted by deputies and additional personnel while detectives recovered a stolen 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol from the vehicle which dropped Chapman off at the park. Detectives authored several warrants and searched for Chapman at multiple locations throughout the day and night.

On Saturday March 11th at about 10:30 in the evening Chapman turned himself in to the Sonora Police Department (SPD). Deputies arrested Chapman at SPD. Deputies transported Chapman to the Dambacher Detention Center (DDC) where he was booked on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and brandishing a firearm.

Anyone who witnessed this incident or has additional information is urged to contact the Investigations Division, Detective Hammell at 209-533-5815.
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