Date: Feb. 26, 2024
Case #: 2024-00010662
Incident: Three arrested on multiple charges over marijuana vape cartridge dispute
Date / Time of Incident: Feb. 25, 2024 / 2:36 a.m.
Arrested: Dalton Lily Ellis, 18-year-old Bend resident
Charles Gordon Barker, 42-year-old Bend resident
Rachel Jaimie Appel, 37-year-old Bend resident
At approximately 2:36 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25, Bend Police officers responded to a report of a suspicious circumstance in the 63000 block of Watercress Way.
When officers arrived, they met an 18-year-old man who said he’d been kidnapped and robbed by a group of people over a marijuana vape cartridge.
An investigation revealed that the victim had agreed to purchase a marijuana vape cartridge from a 16-year-old acquaintance for $30, but only paid $3. The 16-year-old, 37-year-old Rachel Jaimie Appel, and 18-year-old Dalton Lily Ellis, were together at Appel’s home in the 20000 block of Fred Meyers Road.
After the 16-year-old told Ellis she hadn’t received the correct amount of money for the cartridge, Ellis contacted the victim to ask him to hang out, in an effort to bait him and recover the money for her friend. The victim agreed to meet Ellis at his house, and when Ellis arrived at his residence in the 63000 block of Watercress Way in a white Ford Escape, the victim got into the vehicle with Ellis and Appel.
Shortly after leaving the home, 42-year-old Charles Gordon Barker, who was hiding under a blanket in the back of the vehicle, put the victim in a chokehold and strangled him while Appel drove the group to a nearby neighborhood.
Appel then allegedly punched the victim in the face multiple times before she took his phone and used his face to access his banking app, unsuccessfully attempting to transfer $100 from the victim’s bank account. The group then drove to the victim’s home to get cash, and he provided them with $61. Appel and Ellis attempted to enter the victim’s home, then eventually left with the victim’s phone. Much of the incident was captured on a Ring doorbell camera.
Ellis was arrested at approximately 10:54 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25 on suspicion of Robbery II, Criminal Mischief II, Burglary I and Criminal Conspiracy. She was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail.
Appel was arrested at approximately 2:18 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25 on suspicion of Kidnapping II, Robbery II, Burglary I, Coercion, Assault IV, Criminal Conspiracy and Computer Crime. She was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail.
Barker was arrested at approximately 3:47 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25 on suspicion of Kidnapping II, Robbery II, Strangulation, Criminal Conspiracy and Coercion. He was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail.