TACOMA, Wash. — Police are looking for a man accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint and raping her. Tacoma Police and Crimestoppers say 22-year-old James Salanoa robbed and kidnapped a woman at gunpoint in a parking lot off Tacoma Mall Boulevard Saturday morning around 11:30 a.m.
Once he left that parking lot, police say raped the victim inside her own car, then got away in a stolen white Cadillac Escalade.
“The crime that he committed is so egregious and so heinous that we want to get him off the streets before anyone else gets harmed or hurt by him,” Tacoma Police Detective William Muse said.
Police said they returned to the parking lot where all of this began. Police said that the stolen car was found abandoned and they do believe Salanoa used that car for other crimes.
KIRO 7 asked Tacoma Police if violent crime off Tacoma Mall Boulevard was a problem. Detective Muse said cases like this are rare, but they plan to have more patrols in the area to ensure public safety, especially during the upcoming holidays.
“It’s unfortunate that it happened to begin with and we have to do our best to make sure that this doesn’t happen again,” Detective Muse said.
If anyone has any idea where he is, give Crimestoppers or Tacoma Police a call. Crimestoppers is offering reward money up to $1000 for any information that could lead to Salanoa’s arrest.
We are asking for your help in locating James Salanoa, a suspect in a violent kidnap, rape and robbery. Please note the distinctive scar on his left hand and his features. Please contact Tacoma Police or Crime Stoppers if he is located. pic.twitter.com/fVTFbw0S1P
— Tacoma Police Department (@TacomaPD) November 22, 2023
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