CCSO:**(PHOTO ATTACHED)** CITIZEN (HERO) RUNS DOWN AND CAPTURES REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER
Posted: July 6th, 2011 9:35 AM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-07/624/45933/Benson_Thomas_Lee___Age_39.jpg
The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Jim Strovink, Detective
Office of Public Information
12700 SE 82nd Avenue, Clackamas, Oregon 97015
NEWS RELEASE (Photo Attached)
On Friday, July 1, 2011, between 3:00 p.m. and 3:20 p.m. it is reported that a known 'registered sex offender' identified as Thomas Lee Benson, age 39, is believed to have attempted to impersonate a female while roaming around and engaging children in conversations while inside the interior of the Clackamas Aquatic Center, located at 7300 SE Harmony Road, in Milwaukie.
On this warm and sunshiny Friday afternoon, the Aquatic Center was busy with bus loads of children present using the swimming pool facility.
With good fortune, Tayo G. Cotton, 26, of Portland, was present and keeping a watchful eye on a large group of children he was supervising involved in a summer field trip at the Aquatic Center.
Responding to giggles and laughter from children, it came to Tayo Cotton's attention -- and other attending supervisors -- that a subject believed to be a man, had gone into the occupied girl's locker room, and also into a hot tub. This same person is also reported to have engaged in conversations with several young children in the immediate area.
Tayo Cotton later described to Deputies how he witnessed this suspicious person exiting the girl's dressing room inside the Aquatic Center. Cotton then attempted to stop and detain this departing person.
The suspicious person, soon identified as Thomas Benson, age 39, of Gresham, was also observed wearing a white tank top, shorts, and carrying a bag as he departed the Center.
The suspect soon realized he was being followed by Cotton and transitioned quickly from a brisk walk into a sprint.
This jaunt brought both the fleeing suspect and Tayo Cotton into the west end of the Clackamas Town Center parking lot; located on the east side of SE 82nd Avenue.
At one point, both the suspect and the relentless Tayo Cotton ran through the Sears Department Store, and exited into the parking lot on the north side of the Sears complex.
Cotton was unyielding in his pursuit of the suspect who continued to try and get away. Cotton reports - while in hot pursuit of the suspect - witnessing Thomas Benson attempting unsuccessfully to open several car doors in the parking lot as another desperate attempt by the suspect to evade capture.
Ultimately, Benson was able to reach through an opened rear window and accomplished opening a car door. This vehicle was being operated by an unsuspecting female who had been driving slowly through the west end of the parking lot.
Cotton realized he could not allow the suspect to gain entry into the occupied automobile and physically grabbed the suspect by the shoulders while pulling him away from the vehicle.
Just as this physical confrontation occurred, a Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputy arrived on the scene to safely take control and handcuff the suspect.
Investigating Deputies soon recognized the suspect in custody, Thomas Benson, was also wearing a bra, lipstick and eye liner. In addition, Benson was found to be wearing a bandage between his upper lip and nose.
Had it not been for all the conscientious and valiant efforts provided by Tayo G. Cotton, the suspect involved may not have been successfully apprehended.
Thomas Lee Benson, age 39, of Gresham is described as a white male adult, 5'09", 175 lbs. with brown hair & blue eyes who was transported to the Clackamas County Jail and lodged with the following criminal charges identified as:
* Unlawful contact with a child (Two counts)
* Unlawfully being in a location where children congregate
* Robbery in the third-degree
* Attempted unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
Thomas Lee Benson has an established criminal history. Benson has a preliminary hearing on this matter scheduled for July 11th, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. in Clackamas County Circuit Court. Bail is set at $100,000. (Photo Attached)[END]
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