Suspect in abduction jailed last week in Coos Co.
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EUGENE, Ore. -- The man accused of pulling a 10-year-old girl off a Eugene, Ore., neighborhood street and into a stolen car by her hair was released from jail in Coos County on Sunday.
Malcolm Michael Gerlach was arraigned at the Lane County Jail this afternoon. The sheriff arrested him after a 20-minute pursuit near Fern Ridge Reservoir Tuesday evening.
The sheriff believes Gerlach was cruising a neighborhood in the Santa Clara area of Eugene, Ore., Tuesday in a stolen car. Witnesses told investigators and KVAL News that the car struck the girl, knocking her off her bicycle. Witnesses said a man got out of the car and drug the girl into the vehicle by her hair before speeding away.
Gerlach did not enter a plea today, which is common at the first arraignment.
Gerlach faces charges of:
- Felony unauthorized use of a vehicle
- Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
- Second degree assault
- Two counts of first degree Kidnapping
- Two counts of first degree sodomy
- First degree sexual abuse
- Attempting to elude police
- Reckless driving
The Lane County District Attorney will now decide whether or not to ask a grand jury to indict Gerlach on these charges.
A reliminary hearing was scheduled for Jan. 28, which is the deadline for the DA to present a formal indictment.
Suspect arrested in Coos, Douglas counties
Oregon State Police arrested Gerlach Jan. 16 for driving under the influence after he crashed a car believed to be stolen, according to the Coos County Sheriff's Office.
Gerlach was released from the Coos County Jail on Jan. 18.
On Dec. 18, OSP arrested Gerlach in Douglas County for driving under the influence and unlawful use of a vehicle. | PREVIOUS STORY
