Police seek sex offender in kidnapping case

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland police are looking for 42-year-old Paul Evans Winklebleck who they say impersonated a police officer and kidnapped two women who had just left a concert at the Roseland Theatre late Thursday night.

According to a Portland Police Bureau press release, Winklebleck approached the two women near Southwest 2nd and Ash as they were walking to their car and told them he worked for the Portland Police Bureau. He said he was there to help them because he said they might be drunk.

Winklebleck said he was a “spotter” for the bureau and was there to get the women safely home so they would not be stopped and arrested for drunken driving.

At first both women declined the offer and got into their car, but Winklebleck told them that police were in the area and if they left they would be pulled over.

Police said the women decided to allow Winklebleck to drive their car because he said he worked for the police and it was his job to make sure they got home safely.

Winklebleck drove the women around downtown and then got on Interstate 5 and drove south. According to police, Winklebleck pulled out a knife and forced one of the women to take several pills. He then took the Detroit Lake exit and stopped on a gravel road near the freeway.

At that time the women tried to escape but Winklebleck threatened them with the knife and physically assaulted one of them. One of the women got away and went for help at a nearby residence where someone called 9-1-1.

At that time the other woman was able to escape from Winklebleck and hid nearby.

Winklebleck then fled the area in the vehicle. Marion County Sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle about 10 miles from the incident. Both women were taken back to Portland are working with the Portland Police Bureau on the case.

Police said Winklebleck is stocky and about 5 feet 11 inches tall with thick, short, reddish brown hair. He also has a short, thick goatee and mustache. He was wearing a camouflage shirt or jacket with a hat that matched.

One of the women was able to take the photograph of Winklebleck that is shown above.

Detective Mary Wheat, spokeswoman for the Portland Police Bureau, said Winklebleck does not work for the bureau and the bureau does not hire people to help people who are drunk or escort people who may be intoxicated.

Police said that Winklebleck is currently wanted for third-degree sex abuse and also has a warrant on an outstanding probation violation. He is also a registered sex offender, according to police.

Police said Winklebleck may now be driving a dark green GMC Sonoma pickup truck with an Oregon license plate number 289-EPF.

They say he also goes by the last names of Sullivan and Rose.

Portland police advise that anyone who sees Winklebleck to call 9-1-1 immediately. And anyone with information about this case is asked to call Detective Michele Michaels at 503-823-0635.