Douglas authorities arrest man on abduction, attempted sexual assault charges on a child

By Sgt. Jim Halsey
Deputies of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 21-year-old Jacob Wilcher on charges of kidnapping and attempted sexual assault. At approximately 11:40 am on Sunday, Douglas County deputies were dispatched to a call of an attempted child abduction at the Lifepoint Church, in Minden.
The reporting party, a teacher at the church, reported that she had been holding an outdoor class for youth members of the church when an unknown male adult, later identified as Jacob Wilcher, approached the outdoor class, grabbed a 10-year-old boy from the group, and ran around the side of the church building.

When church officials caught up to Wilcher on the other side of the building, Wilcher was disrobing while still holding onto the scared 10-year-old boy.
Church officials grabbed the boy back, and attempted to detain Wilcher. Wilcher broke free of their grasp, ran to his vehicle which was parked nearby, and quickly drove away.
Church officials followed the vehicle, and utilizing their cell phones, provided updates on the suspect vehicle location. DCSO deputies responded to the area, located the vehicle traveling on Johnson Lane, and attempted to stop Wilcher, the sole occupant of the vehicle. When Wilcher failed to stop for the officers flashing lights, siren and verbal commands via PA, DCSO Sergeant Pat Brooks, utilizing a PIT maneuver (Pursuit Intervention Technique) immobilized the suspect vehicle. Wilcher was then taken into custody.
Investigation has revealed the vehicle Wilcher was driving belongs to his mother. He had stolen it from her earlier today.
Wilcher is currently being held at the DCSO Valley Jail on charges of Kidnapping, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Minor, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Stolen Property. His bail has been set at $332,000.