- Information for the Public Safety report and Courts in The New Era is sourced from local law enforcement and fire agencies. Incident details, which may not always be available from agencies in time for publication in our weekly paper edition, are often updated online at sweethomenews.com as information becomes available. Addresses provided generally denote the location of the incident or arrest, occasionally indicating the origin of the call.
- It is crucial to emphasize that our reporting of an individual’s arrest or citation for a crime does not imply guilt. Determination of guilt can only be established through legal proceedings in court. We commit significant effort to following through as cases move through the judicial process.
- Following is a list of abbreviations that may appear in our log reports: SHPD (Sweet Home Police Department); LCSO (Linn County Sheriff’s Office); OSP (Oregon State Police); SHMC (Sweet Home Municipal Court); LMC (Lebanon Municipal Court); AMC (Albany Municipal Court); LCCC (Linn County Circuit Court); LCJC (Linn County Justice Court); LCS (Linn County Supervisory); OSPB (Oregon State Parole Board); FTA (failure to appear); FTC (failure to comply); DV (domestic violence). A roman numeral listed after a charge means that the charge is that numbered-degree: theft I (first-degree theft).
Oct. 5
3:46 a.m. – Brandi Mae West-Parsons, 51, arrested on LMC warrant for FTA in criminal case, Shea Point. Cited and released. 5:27 a.m. – Death investigation conducted by SHPD in 1300 block Tamarack St. Report taken.
9:02 a.m. – Caller reported camp at home in 700 block Steelhead Way. Officer responded, contacted homeowner, who was advised of permitting process for extended RV stay.
11:46 a.m. – Brittany Rae Panknin, 33, arrested on LMC warrant for FTA in traffic offense case, Elm St./6th Ave. Also cited for driving while suspended, driving without insurance. Cited and released.
Oct. 4
9:23 a.m. – Dylan Elder, 29, of Sweet Home, cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured. 900 block Pleasant Valley Rd.
1:23 p.m. – Citizen flagged down officer to report female walking naked down street in area of Long St./22nd Ave. Officer contacted female, who had gotten dressed and gone home. Female told officer it was effect of medication and she would contact her doctor.
3:23 p.m. – Caller reported someone had cut wire, spray painted in 1400 block Poplar St. Officer responded, report taken for criminal mischief I.
6:24 p.m. – Caller reported motorized bike stolen from 1200 block Long St. on previous day. Officer responded. Report taken. Bike described as green, gas-powered, unknown brand. Value estimated at $400.
8:26 p.m. – Katherine Marie Berhoffer, 44, arrested by Benton County Sheriff’s Office on SHMC warrant for FTA in theft case. Cited to appear Oct. 22.
8:58 p.m. – Multiple callers in area of 43rd Ave. and Osage St./Airport Rd. reported hearing fireworks or gunshots in area. Officer responded, unable to locate.
9:24 p.m. – Crash reported in area of Hwy. 228/Rowell Hill Rd. Gregory Nohrenberg, 47, of Sweet Home, arrested for failure to perform duties of a driver after allegedly fleeing the scene. Report taken.
10:42 p.m. – Larry Dean Bergstrom, 61, arrested after he turned himself in at SHPD, 1950 Main St., on SHMC warrant for FTC in theft case. Cited and released. Shortly thereafter, Bergstrom reported that his homemade bike trailer, valued at approximately $100, had been stolen after he left it in the location of the SHPD/BiMart parking lot for several days. Report taken.
11:26 p.m. – Fight reported at Downtown Lounge, 1234 Main St. Police and LCSO responded. Tanya Susanne Sims, 49, arrested for assault IV, disorderly conduct II and menacing. Cited and released.
Oct. 3
9:31 a.m. – Caller from Samaritan Health Sweet Home Clinic, 1289 49th Ave., reported that patient stole wheelchair. Officer responded, info noted. Caller declined to pursue charges.
9:48 a.m. – Caller reported that neighbor’s female dog and her puppies have been getting loose in 500 block Surrey Lane, being aggressive and knocking people down. Officer responded, advised caller of options.
10:18 a.m. – Caller reported truck parked on street in area of Elm St./18th Ave. for about two weeks. Vehicle posted for removal.
11:49 a.m. – Caller reported dog at large, chasing someone in 500 block Surrey Lane. Officer responded. Person who was chased did not want owner cited.
1:07 p.m. – Domestic violence reported in 1500 block Tamarack St. Report taken for assault IV-domestic.
4:38 p.m. – Crash reported in area of Ames Creek Rd./Ames Creek Lane. Officer responded, report taken for injury crash with damages exceeding $2,500. Vehicle towed.
8:29 p.m. – Caller reported cougar sighting in area of 4100 block Osage St.
Oct. 2
12:50 a.m. – Caller reported ongoing issues with people breaking into location in 1900 block 19th Ave. Officer responded, report taken for burglary I.
8:25 a.m. – Timothy Pepperling, 41, of Lebanon, arrested for trespass II, felon in possession of a firearm. Firearm and several other items reported to be stolen were located in vehicle. 37700 block Northern Dr., Brownsville.
9:17 a.m. – Caller reported someone broke into bathrooms at Sankey Park, 877 14th Ave., left trash and drug paraphernalia.
9:47 a.m. – Caller from Sweet Home High School, 1641 Long St., reported incident in which student stated he would “handle an incident after school” with firearms. Officer responded, contacted parent and counseled student.
9:47 a.m. – Caller from Sweet Home High School reported that student overheard female who had recently been trespassed from school, 1641 Long St., threaten to get gun. Officer responded, report taken for menacing, investigation ongoing.
11:44 a.m. – Joshua Kealohanui Ben Leslie arrested for disorderly conduct II and criminal mischief II after multiple callers complained that male reached out at cars as they drove by, 2400 block Main St. Cited and released.
3:18 p.m. – Deputy took report of credit card fraud totaling $20.49 from victim, 27000 block Old Holley Rd. Report taken.
3:41 p.m. – Jeremiah Paul Pifer, 43, arrested for theft III after caller from Bi-mart reported theft and that suspect had been detained, 1980 Main St. Also arrested on Tillamook County warrant for probation violation in theft case. Lodged in Linn County Jail.
3:41 p.m. – While on another call, officer located meth and concealed weapon in 1900 block Main St.
4:03 p.m. – Thomas Michael Studer arrested by Monmouth police on SHMC warrant for FTA in hit and run case. Cited to appear Oct. 22.
6:02 p.m. – Caller reported female stole mail from location in 3000 block Main St. Officer responded, report taken for theft III. Value $50.
6:53 p.m. – Douglas County Sheriff’s Office reported it had located stolen vehicle. According to SHPD, the car had been taken to Roseburg without permission.
7:14 p.m. – Joshua Kealohanui Ben Leslie arrested for criminal trespass II after caller reported male who had been previously trespassed at businesses in 1200 block Long St. Cited and released.
9:55 p.m. – LCSO reported crash in 900 block Long St. Officer responded. According to SHPD, 2008 Ford Escape operated by Abigail Ferebee was westbound on Long Street when it struck a bridge guardrail and landed in the creek. Damage estimated at more than $2,500. Vehicle towed.
Oct. 1
7:28 a.m. – Caller reported male, who had been trespassed many times, back on property in 2200 block Tamarack St. Officer responded. Maile was not on property at time, but was advised to stay away from all properties owned by caller, who declined to press charges.
7:42 a.m. – Crash reported in area of Main St./44th Ave. According to SHPD, a 2016 Kia Forte operated by Concetta Picozzi was westbound and merged into the inner lane of Main St., where it was struck by a 2010 Acura operated by Michelle Hayes. Hayes told police she saw Picozzi initiate her turn signal, but was unsure whether she was going to turn. Hayes slowed but as Picozzi also slowed, she continued west which led to the collision. No citations.
12:39 a.m. – Quentin Wyatt Quadros, 27, arrested in relation to Lebanon hit and run case, for criminal driving, and for LMC warrant for probation violation, LCJC warrant for contempt of court, 2400 block Main St. Cited and transferred to Lebanon police custody.
9:11 a.m. – Deputies recovered bulldozer that had been stolen but not reported, 28700 block Scott Mountain Rd. Equipment returned to owner. Report taken.
9:56 a.m. – Black and yellow Labrador retrievers located near Milepost 35 on Highway 20. Lodged at Animal Control.
11:06 a.m. – Caller reported tool stolen from worker in 25400 block Gap Rd., Brownsville. Valued at $35. Report taken for theft.
11:50 a.m. – Two-car crash reported in area of American Dr./2nd St., Halsey. J. Bush, 60, of Tangent, cited for failure to obey traffic control device.
12:27 p.m. – Charles Stephen Libby, 70, arrested for sex abuse I, sodomy I and unlawful sexual penetration I, following investigation that began June 9. Libby was arrested in Hillsboro by SHPD and lodged at Linn County Jail. According to court records, Libby is accused of sexual assault involving a minor child between April 7, 2015 and April 6, 2016.
7:35 p.m. – Andre Felkins, 20, of Florence, cited for speeding, 80/55, Hwy. 99, Halsey.
7:37 p.m. – Caller from The Point restaurant reported that diners left without paying for meal, 6305 Main St. Report taken for theft III. Value $76.
Sept. 30
2:17 a.m. – Caller reported people playing basketball in 1700 block 9th Ave. Officer responded, contacted individuals, who moved along.
7:45 a.m. – Danielle Tyler-Marsh, 26, of Halsey, cited for speeding, Hwy. 99/Fayetteville Dr.
7:59 a.m. – Crash reported in 1400 block 1st Ave. According to SHPD, Jackson Wojdylak, driving a 2002 Ford F350, made a lefthand turn from Main St. onto 1st Ave. when an outrigger attached to his vehicle flipped out and struck a parked 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan occupied by Jasmine Brigham, who had pulled over to the west side of the street to use her cellphone. No citations issued. Non-injury, damage over $2,500.
8:56 a.m. – Caller reported male in middle of street, trying to fight cars as they drove by, Main St./Clark Mill Rd. Officer responded, contacted male who was on sidewalk and advised him of complaint. He denied activity but was advised to stay off the road.
10:49 a.m. – Caller reported dog stolen from 1100 block 1st Ave. Officer responded, report taken for theft I.
10:16 a.m. – Deputy located littering violation in area of Hwy. 228/Ogle Rd., Halsey. Contacted male, told him to take everything with him.
11:30 p.m. – Littering violation reported in 27600 block Ogle Rd., Halsey. Deputy took report, forwarded to ODOT as it was on state property. Report taken.
1:00 p.m. – Gilbert Alonzo Martinez, 49, arrested at SHPD, 1950 Main St., on SHMC for FTA in disorderly conduct case, AMC warrant for FTA in criminal citation case, Linn County Supervisory warrant, after caller reported male threatening people in parking lot, throwing rocks. Lodged in Linn County Jail.
2:16 p.m. – Caller reported dog in 1200 block 43rd Ave., with “chain wrapped around its whole body, digging into its skin, and is trying to bite it off.” Officer responded, was able to get dog off lead but was unable to get the dog resecured, though officer believed it would not get loose. Neighbor advised to call SHPD when owner returned.
2:21 p.m. – Multiple callers reported trees hanging on lines, about to fall into roadway in 4000 block Long St. gusty wind blasts. Officers responded; trees were not on power lines. Public Works removed tree.
4:03 p.m. – Caller in area of 12th Avenue reported that subject in red Jeep had attempted to “kidnap” daughter previous Friday and that nephew had also experienced similar incident during summer, involving same vehicle. Officer contacted caller and both children. Information note.
5:19 p.m. – Melissa Kay Wise, 68, arrested for DUII, reckless driving and reckless endangering, 900 block Alder St. Vehicle impounded.
5:38 p.m. – John Wise, 60, of Sweet Home, arrested for DUII and reckless driving, 40600 block Hwy. 228. Report taken.
8:53 p.m. – Christopher Lance Turner, 30, arrested for unlawful dissemination of intimate image, 1100 block Spruce St. Cited and released.
10:28 p.m. – Caller from McDonald’s reported unwanted vehicle at location, 2000 block Main St., requested occupant be trespassed. Officer responded, contacted female, who was trespassed.
Sept. 29
11:51 a.m. – Shiloh Scott Rannings, 38, arrested on LCCC warrant for FTC in vehicle burglary case after she visited SHPD, 1950 Main St., to pick up belongings. Lodged in Linn County Jail.
1:47 p.m. – Caller reported male keeps coming into her yard in 1800 block Tamarack St., yelling at her house. Officer responded, contacted male, who was no longer on the property, advised him to stay off property.
1:59 p.m. – Deputy contacted occupants of vehicle parked directly in front of timber road gate, 42300 block Ames Creek Rd. Occupants apologized, moved along.
2:01 p.m. – Caller reported male trying to get into residence in 1000 block 12th Ave. Officer responded, report taken for criminal trespass II.
2:14 p.m. – Michael Deshawn Ferebee, 46, cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured, 1400 block Long St.
2:56 p.m. – Deputy contacted owner of vehicle parked in public right of way, 25600 block Gap Rd.
3:30 p.m. – Caller reported daughter was assaulted at Sweet Home High School, 1641 Long St. Report taken for assault IV.
3:42 p.m. – James Daniel McClintock arrested on SHMC warrant for FTA in harassment case, 41900 block North River Dr. Cited and released.
9:05 p.m. – Vincent Lee Holt, 54, arrested by LCSO on SHMC warrant for FTA in disorderly conduct case. Cited to appear Oct. 22.
10:01 p.m. – Robert Clyde Lott, 64, arrested on LMC warrant for FTA in DUII case, 600 block Main St. Cited and released.
Sept. 28
1:56 pm. – Business burglarized in 000 block American Dr. during previous night. Report taken.
4:03 p.m. – Deputy located mess left at camp in 51100 block Quartzville Rd. Investigation ongoing. Report taken.