FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE:  January 3, 2023

CONTACT:     Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Salem, Ore. — A 27-year-old man was arrested for his involvement in an assault which occurred yesterday, January 2, at a popular south Salem park.

On Monday afternoon at approximately 5:20 p.m., a woman running on a path through Minto-Brown Island Park reported a man attacked her. The victim recounted the man started following her after she passed him. When the jogger attempted to take an alternate path due to high water, the man reached out and grabbed her by the throat and began to pull her away. The woman fought back. She was able to get away from the attacker and to a safe location to call for police.

While patrol officers were on the scene looking for the suspect, a man called the 9-1-1 line requesting assistance because he was stranded in a high-water area of the forested park. The man was rescued by officers with assistance from a fire department water rescue crew. Based on the description provided by the victim, officers determined the rescued-man was the suspect in the attack.

David William Baynes Belluno of Salem was arrested after receiving a medical evaluation and clearance at Salem Health.

The victim in the assault was not hospitalized.

“The woman in this incident is an incredible person,” said Deputy Chief Jake Burke of the Criminal Investigations Section. “She was able to get away from the attacker and call for help. She is tenacious, and we’re glad she is safe.”

Belluno, who is lodged at the Marion County Jail, was charged with the following:

• Attempted kidnapping
• Strangulation
• Assault in the fourth degree

Arraignment for Belluno is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. today, January 3, at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex. All further inquiries on this case should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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