![](https://i0.wp.com/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_nbcnews-fp-1200-630,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2023-08/230802-klamath-falls-oregon-google-maps-ac-1059p-20f965.jpg?ssl=1)
The neighbor of a person accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and holding a lady captive in his Oregon storage mentioned Wednesday that nothing appeared out of the odd on the residence and that the suspect as soon as saved her pet throughout a near-lethal canine battle.
Negasi Zuberi, who authorities mentioned is linked to not less than 4 violent sexual assaults in 4 states, moved to the quiet suburban neighborhood in Klamath Falls together with his spouse and two youngsters roughly six months in the past, neighbor Melanie McClure informed NBC Information.
Zuberi, 29, was charged with one rely of interstate kidnapping in federal district court docket in Oregon after authorities arrested him on July 16. He was taken into custody after a standoff within the parking zone of a Nevada Walmart, in line with an announcement of possible trigger unsealed Wednesday.
![The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Portland Field Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying potential victims of a violent sex assault offender who has lived in at least 10 states.](https://i0.wp.com/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2023-08/230802-Makeshift-Cinderblock-Cell-fbi-oregon-ew-200p-c4352a.jpg?resize=1405%2C1052&ssl=1)
McClure, an occupational therapist who has lived within the neighborhood since 2016 and lives subsequent door to the house, mentioned that when she launched herself to Zuberi, he recognized himself as “Sakima” and mentioned he’d simply moved to the realm from Colorado.
“He’s not overly pleasant, however he’s not a jerk or something like that,” mentioned McClure, 45, recalling their dialog. “Nothing stood out to me that will converse to something like what he’s being accused of.”
Zuberi additionally glided by “Justin Hyche” and “Justin Kouassi,” federal authorities mentioned Wednesday.
A few months after the household moved in, McClure’s two canines — a Doberman pinscher pet and a a lot smaller Pomeranian-husky combine — bought in a battle in her entrance yard, with the bigger animal clutching the smaller canine’s collar in its mouth and choking him, she mentioned.
Zuberi “was prepared to step in with out query and mentioned, ‘you need assist?’” McClure recalled. “I used to be determined.”
After they lastly bought the smaller canine unfastened, he was almost unconscious and Zuberi administered chest compressions, McClure mentioned.
“He saved him,” she mentioned. “He introduced him again for me.”
Afterward, McClure mentioned, she left the household a bottle of wine and a thanks card.
“I suppose I’m stunned that I didn’t discover something,” McClure added. “Right here’s the factor — anyone can conceal something.”
McClure by no means discovered what Zuberi did for work however mentioned he didn’t seem to observe a 9-5 schedule. His spouse was a “very candy” mom who had no concept about her husband’s alleged crimes, she mentioned.
“She’s making an attempt her finest to navigate this,” McClure mentioned.
Efforts to succeed in Zuberi’s spouse had been unsuccessful.
Zuberi’s lawyer didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Zuberi’s landlords, Klamath Falls Mayor Carol Westfall and her husband, Kevin Westfall, mentioned in an announcement Wednesday that they had been “shocked and dismayed by what occurred.”
The couple filed a residential criticism for eviction on July 21, giving 24 hour discover to Zuberi and “all others” that there had been “private damage, substantial injury, extraordinarily outrageous act or illegal occupant” on the property.
Within the assertion, the Westfalls recommended native, state and federal police in addition to the lady who authorities mentioned escaped a makeshift cinder block cell the place Zuberi allegedly held her captive.
In keeping with the possible trigger assertion, Zuberi posed as a police officer when he allegedly approached the lady, a intercourse employee, in Seattle on July 15 and pointed a stun gun at her, saying he wanted to take her into custody.
Zuberi is accused of putting her in leg irons and handcuffs and sexually assaulting her whereas driving her to his residence, roughly 450 miles south of Seattle, the assertion says. As soon as there, the lady slept however “briefly awoke to the conclusion that she would probably die if she didn’t try to flee,” the assertion says.
“Police say she beat the door together with her palms till they had been bloody with the intention to break away,” Assistant Particular Agent in Cost Stephanie Shark with the FBI Portland Area Workplace informed reporters Wednesday.
![Home of suspect Negasi Zuberi in Klamath Falls, Ore.](https://i0.wp.com/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2023-08/230802-klamath-falls-oregon-google-maps-ac-1059p-20f965.jpg?resize=2500%2C1667&ssl=1)
As soon as outdoors, she flagged down a passing motorist who known as 911, in line with the assertion.
When authorities searched Zuberi’s residence, they discovered a handwritten be aware titled “Operation take over” with the bullet factors “go away cellphone at residence” and “be certain that they don’t have a bunch of individuals of their life. You don’t need any kind of investigation,” the assertion says.
Shark mentioned Zuberi was linked to 4 further violent sexual assaults in not less than 4 states, although she didn’t disclose the place these instances had been.
He has lived in 12 states — California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Alabama and Nevada — over the past decade and should have used a number of strategies to focus on victims, together with drugging drinks and impersonating a police officer, the FBI mentioned.
The company launched an investigation web site the place potential victims or others with info associated to the case can fill out a type to supply extra info.