GPPD on the Hunt for Benjamin Obadiah Foster, Extremely Dangerous and Armed with a Handgun

The Grants Pass Police Department (GPPD) is on the lookout for Benjamin Obadiah Foster, a 36-year-old man wanted on charges of kidnapping, assault, and attempted murder.^[0] Authorities say that Foster is believed to be armed with a handgun and should be considered extremely dangerous.^[1] He was last known to be driving a dark blue 2008 Nissan Sentra 4-door with Oregon license 407EDX, which police located and recovered.^[1]

The police responded to a residence in the 2100 block of Shane Way just after 6:50 p.m.^[2] Officers found a female victim who had been bound and severely beaten into unconsciousness and was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.^[3] The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition on Tuesday and is currently in critical condition.^[4]

In 2017, Foster was charged with battery leading to domestic violence in after strangling his then-girlfriend on Christmas Eve. Foster observed that someone else had sent her a text message, and then the attack occurred.^[0] In 2019, Foster was accused of felony assault, battery, and kidnapping for attacking his then-girlfriend, according to charging documents. This was while the other case was still in the court system.

Police believe that Foster received assistance in fleeing the area and Tina Marie Jones, 68, was arrested “for Hindering Prosecution” as authorities searched for the suspect.^[5] Furthermore, police stated that Foster is taking advantage of online dating platforms. They are of the opinion that he is exploiting these apps to get assistance from women unknowingly, in order to evade being apprehended, or to single out potential targets.^[0]

GPPD released an updated photo of Foster last week and asked anyone seeing Foster or knowing his whereabouts to immediately call 911 and reference Grants Pass case #23-3570.^[4] Police also warned Foster may have changed his appearance by shaving his beard and hair or by changing his hair color.^[3]

Anyone who sees Foster should not approach him, as he is considered extremely dangerous.^[6] If you come into contact with Foster, police say to call 911 immediately and do not approach him.^[1]

0. “Oregon: kidnapping and torture suspect may be using dating apps to find new victims” Metro, 30 Jan. 2023, https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/30/oregon-kidnapping-and-torture-suspect-may-be-using-dating-apps-to-find-new-victims-18189277/

1. “Suspect at large, victim in critical condition after attempted murder in Grants Pass” KTVL, 26 Jan. 2023, https://ktvl.com/news/local/suspect-at-large-victim-in-critical-condition-after-attempted-murder-in-grants-pass-crime-beaten-assault-kidnapping-wolf-creek-benjamin-obadiah-foster-nissan-sentra-search-investigation

2. “EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ATTEMPTED MURDER SUSPECT MAY BE IN DOUGLAS COUNTY” kqennewsradio.com, 26 Jan. 2023, https://kqennewsradio.com/2023/01/26/extremely-dangerous-attempted-murder-suspect-may-be-in-douglas-county/

3. “New photos of Oregon torture suspect as manhunt continues; victim remains hospitalized” OregonLive, 29 Jan. 2023, https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2023/01/manhunt-for-grants-pass-attacker-continues-victim-remains-hospitalized.html

4. “GP Police Chief “disgusted” by domestic abuse case as hunt continues” KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2, 27 Jan. 2023, https://kobi5.com/news/gp-police-chief-disgusted-by-domestic-abuse-case-as-hunt-continues-202842

5. “Man suspected of kidnapping and beating a woman in Oregon may be using dating apps to evade police” CNN, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/29/us/oregon-kidnapping-suspect-online-dating-apps/index.html

6. “BREAKING: Police arrest woman in connection to Benjamin Foster case” KDRV, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.kdrv.com/news/top-stories/breaking-police-arrest-woman-in-connection-to-benjamin-foster-case/article_4e03e2c0-9e78-11ed-8d5d-afff98045523.html