A Bend man was arrested on kidnapping and other charges in a raid on his apartment late Wednesday night as police continue to hunt for his missing ex-girlfriend, not heard from since earlier this week.
Police executed a search warrant shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday on the apartment of Bryan Michael Penner, 31, in the 1800 block of Northeast Purcell Boulevard after identifying him as a "person of interest" in the disappearance of Sara Diana Gomez, 24, who last was seen leaving her workplace Monday night.
Police Lt. Clint Burleigh said the raid turned up evidence "believed to be linked to the disappearance of Gomez."
Penner was taken to the Deschutes County Jail and held on second-degree charges of kidnap, theft and criminal mischief, jail records showed. He also faces a dozen contempt of court charges involving violation of an active restraining order involving Gomez, Burleigh said. His bail totaled $110,000.
Further searches for the missing 24-year-old woman are planned in the ongoing investigation, Burleigh said in an updated news release, adding, "We are continuing to ask for the community's help in locating Sara Gomez."
At Thursday's arraignment of Penner, a prosecutor told Circuit Judge Alta Brady evidence shows Gomez may have been the victim of foul play and may be in danger.
Penner's bail was set at $100,000 and he is scheduled to be back in court on March 1.
Gomez's friends and family were in the courtroom as Penner appeared by video from the jail.
Lauralyn Searcy told NewsChannel 21 Penner and Gomez were separated and he had a past of domestic violence.
"Everyone that knows Sara and knows Bryan knows that he's violent and abusive," Searcy said tearfully. "We're just praying that he's has her somewhere and that she's not dead yet, because she's like the sweetest person on the planet and she doesn't deserve this, and we've been trying to get her out of this for a really long time."
Court records show Penner was convicted in February 2017 of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and harassment and given 18 months probation, with several conditions, including not to consume or possess alcoholic beverages or go to any bars, taverns or other establishments were alcohol is served, as well as take anger management treatment.
A concerned friend of Gomez contacted Redmond police on Tuesday to report that she had not returned home for a few days. The information was forwarded to Bend police, Burleigh said.
Family members said she last was seen Monday night leaving work at the north Bend Albertsons, where she works in management, after the Third Street grocery closed for the night.
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