Trucker charged with kidnapping dead man’s daughter

Jeffrey Todd Jones, 49, was arrested near his Portland home last week and faces kidnapping, extortion, burglary and robbery charges. (The Trucker File Photo)

The Trucker News Services

7/10/2008

PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon truck driver who allegedly zeroed in on bereaved families as possible targets for extortion has been charged with kidnapping a deceased man's daughter-in-law, according to authorities.

Jeffrey Todd Jones, 49, was arrested near his Portland home last week and faces kidnapping, extortion, burglary and robbery charges in connection with a July 1 incident, authorities said.

Police said Jones used published obituaries to target people he thought were wealthy, using telephone threats to demand thousands of dollars. When the family of a 76-year-old Portland man who died in June ignored his calls, Jones allegedly invaded the home of the man's 47-year-old daughter-in-law, held her against her will and threatened her family with death. The woman escaped the situation unharmed when the attacker left.

Police said they believe Jones had targeted other families. Multnomah County Judge Julie Frantz signed an order Monday increasing Jones' bail to $2 million, it was reported.