Salem, Ore. — At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, a woman and her young child were reported as being abducted from her apartment in southeast Salem by her estranged boyfriend.
Officers learned the suspect, identified as Javier B. Munoz, Jr., entered the apartment at gunpoint at approximately 3:00 a.m. that morning, keeping the victim and child inside. About 12 hours later, Munoz made threats to the victim, compelling her to leave with him and the child.
While actively searching for Munoz and the victim, a caller reported a man and woman struggling over a child in the 400 block of Hawthorne AV NE. Officers arrived and learned the incident involved Munoz and the victim. Munoz, who was reported to have a handgun, fled with the child on foot toward Geer Community Park.
Patrol officers flooded the area in search of the pair. The Salem Police SWAT Team and officers from multiple regional agencies provided assistance in an extensive two-and-a-half-hour search using canines and unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones.
Munoz and the child were ultimately located concealed beneath a trailer in the area of Oregon AV and Bell RD NE. The young child was uninjured and safely returned to their mother.
Javier Munoz, age 45 of Salem, was arrested on multiple related charges including first-degree kidnapping, menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, and burglary. He is currently lodged at the Polk County Jail related to multiple outstanding warrants from other cases in that county.
The Salem Police Department extends its thanks to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon State Police, and the Woodburn Police Department for their assistance in the search for and apprehension of Munoz. Patrol resources were limited due to other emergency calls for service and an immigration protest occurring during the same time period.
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