Authorities: Missing couple may be with gunman

Authorities: Missing couple may be with gunman

By Nick Winkler and KATU Web Staff

MCMINNVILLE, Ore. - A McMinnville couple has been declared missing and endangered days after someone using their motorhome shot and wounded an Arizona police officer.

The couple, Betty Lou Japel and Kenneth W. Miller, were friends with a man who is now accused of shooting the officer seven times near Quartzsite, Ariz., during an early morning traffic stop on Thursday. The officer, who was wearing a vest, was at last check listed in fair condition at a Phoenix hospital.

According to Arizona authorities, the driver fled after the shooting, and investigators later found the motorhome abandoned in a campground parking lot.

The license plate found on the motorhome actually belonged to a 1986 black and silver Dodge Ram 50 pickup truck that is also registered to the couple. That truck remains missing, however, along with the license plates that should have been on the motorhome, authorities said.

The man police are seeking in connection with the shooting apparently knew the couple well. His name is Gregory Allen Cole, who goes by the nickname "Groundhog." He is pictured below.

The missing couple's son told KATU News Sunday that his mom and dad traveled around the country with Cole, whom the son said seemed like a nice guy.

McMinnville police Cpl. Josi Roberts said police believe Cole was traveling with the couple in his own vehicle prior to Thursday's shooting. Authorities don't believe the couple was involved in the shooting but are worried about their safety.

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