A Vancouver man who allegedly used a police officer disguise to try to kidnap and rape women was back in court Tuesday to face additional allegations.
Clark County Superior Judge Daniel Stahnke increased bail for Shannon “Shawn” Stover to $1.5 million between the two kidnapping cases. Stover also is being held on another $40,000 for a fugitive warrant.
In the latest allegations, Stover, 46, faces second-degree assault and first-degree kidnapping with sexual motivation. On Monday, he appeared on suspicion of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and a felony fugitive warrant out of Clackamas County, Ore.
The new allegations stem from Stover allegedly impersonating a police officer in an attempt to kidnap a woman in the Ellsworth Springs neighborhood late last month.
According to that probable cause affidavit, the woman received a call Nov. 27 from a man, later identified as Stover, who saw her online advertisement and wanted to hire her escort services. He directed her to an address in the 11200 block of Southeast Maxon Road.
A male companion drove her to the area. When they turned onto the road, a car with red and blue flashing lights came behind them. They believed they were being stopped by the police, court records said.
Stover, who was wearing what appeared to be a police uniform, got out of the car and pointed a handgun at them, yelling, “Where are the guns? I know you have guns. Don’t (expletive) move or I’ll shoot you,” the affidavit states.
He then ordered the woman out of the vehicle, walked her to his car, handcuffed her arms behind her back and put her in the front seat, according to court documents. She said she soon realized he wasn’t a real officer and tried to yell to her companion for help.
The woman managed to open her door and jump out while Stover was getting into the vehicle. She ran toward state Highway 14 and attempted to climb over a chain link fence. However, Stover grabbed her and they fell to the ground in a struggle, court records said.
He shocked her in the side with a stun gun, while she fought and screamed for help, according to court documents. She eventually broke free and ran back toward her car. Her companion said Stover had taken his keys, so they ran away and called 911, the affidavit states.
The woman was later treated at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center for a cut lip and abrasions, according to court documents.
Stover’s court-appointed attorney, Louis Byrd Jr., said there was no new information before the court and argued the original bail amount of $1 million should suffice.
Prosecutor Patrick Robinson argued for increased bail because of Stover’s extensive criminal history and the fact that he may be facing a third-strike offense. Under the state’s three-strike law, offenders convicted three times of certain violent and sexual felonies receive mandatory life sentences.
Multiple victims
A second alleged victim from a similar incident the day prior came forward to police after seeing news reports, court records said. Stover allegedly used the same ruse and location to lure the woman. He then kidnapped and blindfolded her, took her to his home and raped her in a recording studio in his garage, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Investigators found evidence of her sexual assault on video recordings seized from Stover’s Vancouver residence during a search, the affidavit said.
Police also found two loaded firearms, camera and video equipment, vehicles matching the descriptions of those used in the kidnapping, a police-type uniform, exterior vest with the word “police” on it and a badge emblem, wig, utility belt and flashlights, according to court documents.
On Tuesday, Robinson said Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Camara Banfield is going to take the lead on Stover’s case.
The investigation is ongoing, he said, and it’s possible Stover will face additional charges. At this time, however, he said he is unaware of any other alleged victims.
Robinson said the prosecution will need to obtain the information regarding Stover’s prior offenses to determine whether he is facing a third strike, and that could take some time. Stover will be arraigned in both cases Dec. 16.
