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About North Douglas herald. (Drain Or) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2024)
North Douglas Herald December 2024 Douglas & Lane County Public Safety Report Sutherlin Woman Rescued from Wilderness Near Reedsport Douglas County, OR – A 43-year-old Sutherlin woman has been rescued from the wilderness area outside of Reedsport. Mandy Greer was picking mushrooms in the vicinity of Camp Creek Road east of Loon Lake on Tuesday afternoon. She and her significant other had only planned to be out for a few hours. Just before 5 pm Tuesday, October 29th, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call from her companion advising they had split up while picking mushrooms, and Greer hadn’t returned to their shared vehicle as planned. Deputies and Search and Rescue responded and spent several hours searching for Greer in response to this report. Search efforts included ground, fixed wing aircraft and drone work. A drone operator identified potential heat signatures, but searchers did not locate Greer. Efforts were paused in the early morning hours but resumed Wednesday morning. On Wednesday, Douglas County Search and Rescue received resources from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue unit to assist in search efforts which resumed at 7:00 am. At approximately 9:15 am, a deputy was able to make voice contact with Greer who responded to the deputy’s siren sound sweep. Searchers learned Greer was injured and would need assistance in extracting from the forest. When rescuers located Greer, it was determined she had suffered a non-life-threatening injury, was cold and wet. Rescuers provided first aid, food and hot tea before assisting Greer to the roadway where she was transferred to the care of EMS providers. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Douglas County Search and Rescue, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Oregon State Police Aircraft Unit, Sutherlin Police, and Umpqua Valley Ambulance. Stabbing Investigation Roseburg, OR -- On November 12, 2024 at approximately 8:30 PM, the Roseburg Police Department, along with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the 200 block of SE Pine Street, an area referred to as “The Point,” regarding a reported stabbing. When officers arrived, they found 31-year-old Jesse Otha Thomas lying on the bike path with multiple stab wounds. Thomas was transported to Mercy Medical Center by Umpqua Valley Ambulance, with non-life threatening injuries and later released. The suspect in this case, 45-year- old Joshua Daniel Saunders, fled the scene but was located along the South Umpqua riverbank with the use of a FLIR thermal imaging device. After a multi-hour standoff, Saunders was tased and taken into custody without further incident. Saunders was lodged at the Douglas County Jail for Assault 1 and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The Roseburg Police Department would like to thank the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Umpqua Valley Ambulance for their assistance. No further details are being released at this time. wounds. The officers on scene began life saving efforts for Burchell until relieved by paramedics. Burchell was transported to Mercy by ambulance, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries at approximately 0921 hours. The Douglas County Major Crimes team, which includes the Roseburg Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, has been activated and a comprehensive and ongoing investigation is occurring. Based on the preliminary investigation, Wall was taken into custody for Murder II and was lodged at Douglas County Corrections. OSP seizes 10 lb Fentanyl Douglas County, OR – Oregon State police recently seized almost 10 pounds of illegal drugs during a traffic stop. On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at about 11 a.m., an Oregon State Trooper stopped a vehicle on Interstate 5 northbound in Douglas County for traffic violations. During the stop, the trooper observed signs of possible criminal activity and requested to search the vehicle. The consent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 9.2 pounds of suspected fentanyl powder. The vehicle operator, Johana Gonzalez Castillo (27) of Oakland (CA), and passenger, Bayron Enamorado Manueles (26) also of Oakland (CA), were arrested for possession and delivery of fentanyl and lodged at the Douglas County Jail. The case is currently under investigation and no additional information is available for release at this time. Can you Identify this Person of Interest? Eugene, OR — The Eugene Police Department (EPD) is looking for help in identifying a person of interest in an animal abuse case that happened on November 19, 2024. According to EPD, the abuse case occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. near E. 20th Avenue and Amazon Parkway. This is a developing story, and the details of the abuse case have not been Lane County, OR — Just before midnight on November 24th, a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy observed a gray 2007 Dodge pickup driving south on I-5 from Goshen at a high rate of speed. A deputy assigned to Creswell attempted a traffic stop as the vehicle passed through the area at over 90 miles per hour, and a pursuit ensued. The deputy deployed his patrol car’s MobileSpike system, which began a controlled deflation of a tire on the pickup to slow its speed. The driver, Jack Daniel Bates, 49, of Oregon City, pulled over after exiting the freeway onto Saginaw Road. The deputies observed signs of impairment. After investigating, Bates was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail for DUI, Driving While Suspended - Felony, and Attempt to Elude by Vehicle. - LCSO Case #24-6261 Deputies Arrest Multiple DUIs over 1 Day Lane County, OR — On November 20th, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies handled three DUIs throughout the day. Each of these calls prevented the investigating deputies from handling other pending calls for service for several hours, and each call could have ended far more tragically. About an hour after midnight, deputies responded to the 76200 block of London Rd., Cottage Grove. A driver in an SUV went into the ditch and was unable to free his vehicle. Deputies observed signs of impairment, and the driver was arrested for DUI. At the same time, a deputy conducted a traffic stop after observing a vehicle driving poorly on I-5 at 30th Ave. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, and observed signs the driver was impaired. After investigating, the driver was arrested and a family member was called to collect a juvenile passenger from the vehicle. Later that day, at about 5 p.m., a deputy responded to a crash on N. Coburg Rd. near Paiute Ln. after a vehicle left the roadway and damaged a public utility box. The deputy observed signs of impairment, however the driver refused to cooperate and then resisted arrest. After transport to the Lane County Jail, a search warrant blood draw was applied for and granted. The driver was lodged at the jail for DUI, Resisting Arrest, and Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon. As we head into the holiday season, please consider others on the road: - Plan your safe ride home ahead of time - If someone you know has been drinking or using drugs, don’t let them get behind the wheel - If you drink or use drugs, do not drive for any reason - If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver - And please, always wear your seatbelt! Hunter and Dog Rescued Shooting Investigation Roseburg, OR -- On November 9th at 0315 hours, the Roseburg Police Department responded to multiple reports of gunfire in the 1200 block Hamilton Street, in Roseburg. The responding officers located and identified the shooter as 25 year old Austin Adrian Wall. The responding officers also located Ryan Dale Burchell ( 50 years of age), who sustained several gunshot MobileSpike Deployed to End Pursuit shared yet. We will update as we receive more information. Lane County, OR -- On November 11th at about 4 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue responded to the area above Hills Creek Dam for an overdue hunter with medical issues. After several hours of searching, SAR personnel located the hunter and provided initial medical care. He was hypothermic and transported by ambulance to an area hospital. The hunter’s dog, an older Rhodesian Ridgeback named Sedona, was not initially located but was later found by campers in Page 3 the area. Hunter and dog were reunited the next morning. Arrests after Shot Fired Creswell, OR — On November 14th at about 4:30 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 200 block of S. 10th St., Creswell, for a report of a physical dispute with a shot fired. No one was injured, however during the investigation deputies found evidence a firearm had been used. Deputies arrested Douglas Glenn Vertrees, 63, of Creswell, for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Disorderly Conduct in the 2nd Degree. Another person involved in the dispute, Rebecca Leanne Huse, 38, was arrested on a warrants for: - Failure to Appear – Possession of Methamphetamine, out of Lane County Circuit Court - Failure to Appear – Criminal Trespass in the 2nd Degree and Giving false Information to a Police Officer, out of Eugene Municipal Court Both were lodged at the Lane County Jail. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Oregon State Police for their assistance with this call. LCSO Case #24-6091 Theft Suspect Arrested Veneta, OR — On November 13th at about 7 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the City of Veneta received information a stolen camper trailer was in the area of the 87700 block of Territorial Highway, Veneta. When deputies arrived, they discovered the trailer was occupied by Travos James Bechtol, 30, and Melissa Renee Pederson, 33, both of Veneta. Deputies arrested both suspects, and discovered additional stolen property inside the trailer. Both were lodged at the Lane County Jail for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Pederson was in possession of drugs, and was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine. The investigation into the stolen property is ongoing. LCSO Case #24-6070 Stalker Arrested after Home Burglary Eugene, OR — On November 10th at about 8 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a panic alarm in the 100 block of Oakleigh Lane, Eugene. A neighbor also called in to report a stalker, identified as David Ivan Piccioni, 55, had broken into the victim’s house. The victim confirmed Piccioni had broken in while they were sleeping. Deputies converged on the area as Piccioni ran. They quickly arrested him nearby on River Road, and lodged him at the Lane County Jail on the following charges: - Violating Court’s Stalking Protective Order - Stalking - Burglary in the 1st Degree - Menacing The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the watchful neighbors who assisted the victim and deputies in this case. LCSO Case #24-6018 Elude Suspect Arrested on Territorial Rd Veneta, OR -- On Friday, November 8th, a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a vehicle driving through Veneta at high speed just after midnight. The driver of the vehicle attempted to elude the deputy. Deputies were Continued on Page 10
