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A Salem man who arrested 47 people received 12 years in prison for robbing a driver and crashing a stolen car.

A Salem man who arrested 47 people received 12 years in prison for robbing a driver and crashing a stolen car.

SALEM, OR (KPTV) – A Salem man was sentenced Friday to 12 and a half years in prison for kidnapping, multiple counts of robbery and auto theft, according to Marion Co. Dist. Prosecutor’s office.

A Marion County jury on Tuesday found Christopher Cortez Tolbert guilty of first-degree robbery, second-degree kidnapping and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in connection with the February 2024 case. Tolbert also pleaded guilty to fleeing a police officer, fleeing the scene of an accident and resisting arrest.

According to prosecutors, the victim was driving in Salem on the night of February 9, 2024. When the victim stopped his car at a stop sign, Tolbert, 32, climbed into the car through the passenger side door. Tolbert pointed the screwdriver at the victim and told her, “Go.”

The victim said he drove Tolbert around Salem for 10 to 15 minutes before Tolbert forced the victim to stop and change seats. As Tolbert was driving, the victim asked Tolbert to let him go, but Tolbert refused.

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The victim said Tolbert kept the screwdriver in his hand the entire time he was driving.

A couple of hours later, Tolbert drove the victim to Polk County near the Premier RV Resort, where he demanded the victim give him $3,000.

The victim refused.

Tolbert broke the victim’s phone and took the victim’s necklace, wallet and identification before allowing him to leave.

The victim found the night security guard in the Premier van, who called the police.

Shortly thereafter, two Keizer Police Department officers attempted to stop Tolbert, but he drove off in the victim’s car. While officers were pursuing him, Tolbert lost control and crashed into another car. He attempted to escape on foot, but was caught and arrested about an hour after the victim first contacted police.

Tolbert was arrested about an hour later by the Salem Police Department after driving away from two Keizer Police Department officers in the victim’s car.

Police said Tolbert was resisting arrest when he was caught, and officers also said they found the victim’s identification in Tolbert’s pocket and a screwdriver in his backpack.

Following Tolbert’s conviction Tuesday in the February 2024 case, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Audrey Broyles sentenced Tolbert to 90 months in prison on Friday.

The DA’s office said Tolbert also received an additional 61 months for separate cases of third-degree robbery, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and fleeing a police officer.

At the time of his arrest, Tolbert had been arrested 47 times and had several prior convictions.