MEDFORD, Ore. (May. 14, 2026) — A 42-year-old Medford-area transient has been indicted on multiple charges after authorities said he posed as a utility worker and attempted to kidnap a woman at a rural southeast Medford mobile home park before an 85-year-old resident intervened to help her escape.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, a Jackson County Grand Jury on Thursday indicted Matthew Hokulii Aranda on 10 charges connected to the May 8 incident. The charges include two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree attempted kidnapping, two counts of stalking, unlawful use of a global positioning system device, unlawful use of a weapon and menacing.
Investigators said the 25-year-old victim was working as a caregiver at a mobile home park in the 3900 block of South Stage Road on the morning of May 8 when Aranda allegedly targeted her.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation found Aranda waited for the victim for several hours while posing as a utility worker before using a Taser to incapacitate and physically attack her in an apparent kidnapping attempt.
Authorities said an 85-year-old resident heard the victim screaming and confronted the suspect, giving the woman enough time to flee toward her vehicle.
Investigators said Aranda then allegedly used the Taser on the resident and chased the victim with a large hunting knife as she attempted to escape. The woman was able to reach her vehicle safely, according to investigators.
The sheriff’s office said Aranda jumped onto the hood of the victim’s vehicle as she drove away but fell off, suffering injuries.
Law enforcement officers later found Aranda injured and hiding in a nearby bush, where he was arrested without further incident, authorities said.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said it was assisted in the investigation and arrest by the Oregon State Police, Medford Police Department and Jacksonville Police Department.
Officials said the case remains under investigation and no additional information is being released at this time.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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