Woman’s brave breakout from makeshift concrete cell may have prevented others from identical horror, asserts FBI

A woman in southern Oregon is being lauded for her courage by the FBI for escaping a kidnapper, having managed to break out from a self-made concrete cell. This brave act has potentially saved other women from experiencing the same trauma, as it led authorities to a suspect now believed to have committed sexual assaults across multiple states.

The woman’s captor, Negasi Zuberi, tricked her into believing he was an undercover cop to abduct her from Seattle. He then drove her hundreds of miles to his Klamath Falls home where he kept her locked in a garage-made cell. Despite the injury to her hands from the escape, her audacious breakout allowed the FBI to apprehend Zuberi.

Now 29, Zuberi is facing multiple federal charges including interstate kidnapping. The FBI is on the hunt for more potential victims after making connections between him and assaults in other states, which remain undisclosed.

Stephanie Shark, the assistant special agent leading the FBI’s Portland field office, commended the woman’s quick thinking and survival instinct, which could have protected other women from the same traumatic experience.

After her daring escape, Zuberi evaded authorities but was finally caught by state police in Reno, Nevada, the following day, according to the FBI.

At this time, Zuberi does not have legal representation and is waiting for a public defender in Oregon, as he is still being transported from Nevada. This process can take several weeks, as per Kevin Sonoff, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in Oregon.

Zuberi has been indicted by a Portland grand jury on charges of interstate kidnapping and transport across state lines for criminal sexual activity, which could land him a life sentence if convicted.

The FBI noted that Zuberi has assumed various aliases and has resided in multiple states since 2016, including California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Alabama, and Nevada.

Court documents reveal that Zuberi posed as a police officer to coerce the woman, known only as Adult Victim 1, into his vehicle before driving her to his home. He assaulted her along the way and then locked her in a cinder block cell.

Upon waking from a short sleep, the woman realized that she must escape to survive. She succeeded in breaking out of the cell and ran away with Zuberi’s firearm, eventually flagging down a passing vehicle to call for help.

Nevada State Patrol officers apprehended Zuberi in a Walmart parking lot in Reno the next day, while he was in his car with one of his children. He initially resisted arrest but later surrendered, and no harm came to his child.

Authorities have yet to comment on whether Zuberi’s wife or neighbors were aware of the woman’s abduction.

Investigation of Zuberi’s home revealed the woman’s belongings and handwritten notes, indicating premeditated criminal activity. The FBI believes Zuberi may have used drugs to control his victims and is urging anyone who suspects they might have been victimized to come forward.

The property in Klamath Falls where the crime took place is owned by the city’s mayor, Carol Westfall, and her husband, Kevin. The couple had Zuberi evicted following his arrest and commended the actions of the woman who helped catch him.

Johnson reported from Seattle with contributions from Big Big News writers Andrew Selsky and Rebecca Boone. Claire Rush, part of the Big Big News/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative, also contributed. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on underrepresented issues.

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