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, is often updated online 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 used in the log reports: LCSO (Linn County Sheriff’s Office); SHPD (Sweet Home Police Department); OSP (Oregon State Police); LCCC (Linn County Circuit Court); LCJC (Linn County Justice Court); SHMC (Sweet Home Municipal Court); LMC (Lebanon Municipal Court); FTA (failure to appear); FTC (failure to comply).
March 29
2:19 a.m. – Caller reported male hit his vehicle, then left location in 1200 block Main St. Officer contacted both parties, which agreed to work things out civilly. Damage estimated under $2,500.
8:04 a.m. – Caller reported male had driven truck into fence in 2200 block Main St., then left area, Officer responded, report taken for hit-and-run property.
8:46 a.m. – Crash reported in 1500 block Main St. Officer responded. Minor incident. Drivers exchanged information. Damage under $2,500.
9:15 a.m. – Caller reported damage to fence in 3200 block Main St. Officer responded, report taken for second-degree criminal mischief.
12:14 p.m. – Structure fire reported in 500 block Main St. Officer responded, contacted male who was cooking. Male put fire out.
1:29 p.m. – SHPD conducted death investigation in 1800 block Fir St. Report taken.
3:23 p.m. – Caller reported he backed into another vehicle at Sweet Home High School, 1600 block Long St. Officer responded. According to SHPD, Brenda Evans, 68, of Eugene, was driving a 2023 Toyota Venza northbound in the parking lot to exit the Rock and Mineral Show event when Lester Yoder, 74, of Lebanon, driving a 2002 Chevy S10 pickup, backed out of his parking spot and the vehicles collided. Both drivers were operating their vehicles at low speed. Report taken for damage over $2,500. No citations issued.
8:31 p.m. – Ever Xavier Rojas, 20, of Eugene, cited for driving while using cellphone, Hwy. 228/Sunset Dr., Brownsville.
11:11 p.m. – David Parrish, 39, of Lebanon cited for speeding, 73/55, 28700 block Hwy. 20.
March 28
2:30 a.m. – Tonya Jean Whitebird, 47, arrested on Albany Municipal Court warrant for contempt of court. Also cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured, 4800 block Main St. Cited and released.
2:30 a.m. – William Emmett Endicott, 57, arrested for felon in possession of weapon and possession of controlled substance – meth following traffic stop in 4800 block Main St. Cited and released.
8:05 a.m. – Caller reported truck “looking like it is about to drop off a beat-up trailer” in 600 block Main St. Officer responded, learned that male had permission to set up food truck for weekend event.
11:32 a.m. – SHPD conducted death investigation in 900 block Long St. Report taken.
11:49 a.m. – SHPD conducted death investigation in 1000 block Mountain View Rd. Report taken.
12:40 p.m. – Caller reported juvenile males throwing fruit at vehicles at Main St./Pleasant Valley Rd. Officer responded, counseled juveniles. Perpetrator’s guardian advised.
2:09 p.m. – Justin Lee Walker arrested by Corvallis police on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear in trespassing cases and public indecency case. Cited to appear April 23.
3:14 p.m. – Lawrence Baker III cited for failure to obey traffic control device, 700 block Long St.
4:56 p.m. – Caller reported that family member was theft victim. Officer responded. Report taken for first-degree aggravated theft. Investigation ongoing.
5:40 p.m. – Deputy educated citizens on where camping is legal, 48000 block Quartzville Rd.
8:37 p.m. – Caller reported illegally cut tree on Cascade Timber Consulting property, 45800 block Old Hufford Dr.
9:07 p.m. – Franklin Luster Cutbirth, 43, of Sweet Home, arrested on multiple outstanding warrants, cited for speeding, 58/40, driving without insurance, driving while suspended, and failure to register vehicle, 38100 block Hwy. 228, Brownsville.
9:17 p.m. – Franklin Luster Cutbirth III arrested by LCSO on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in criminal mischief case. Cited to appear April 23.
9:28 p.m. – Deputies contacted group with unlawful fire on shore of Foster Lake. They were warned for fire and educated about Army Corps of Engineers regulations governing fires and overnight use. 43700 block North River Dr.
9:44 p.m. – Caller reported juveniles throwing rocks at church in 400 block Oak Terrace and jumping in front of moving vehicle. Officer responded, counseled juveniles, who denied allegations.
10:17 p.m. – Richard Ward Little, 69, arrested for DUII, reckless driving, after crash in 2400 block Long St. According to SHPD, Little was driving a 2011 Honda RIdgeline when he colliderd with a concrete median and large steel pulley on display in median. No injuries reported. Damage to Ridgeline estimated at over $2,500. Estimate of damage to median not complete. Vehicle impounded. Little cited and released.
March 27
2:31 a.m. – Daren Jones, 52, of Junction city, cited for speeding, 34100 block Hwy. 228, Halsey.
8:13 a.m. – Naomi P. Nyberg, 59, arrested on Albany Municipal Court warrant for failure to comply in trespassing case, SHPD parking lot, 1950 Main St. Cited and released.
9:25 a.m. – Cody Allen Bowman, 35, arrested on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear in theft cases, SHPD parking lot, 1950 Main St. Cited and released.
10:22 a.m. – Caller reported that someone stole items from Sweet Home RV Center, 4600 block Main St. Officer responded, report taken for third-degree theft. Estimated value $30.
12:30 p.m. – Caller reported someone broke into her brother’s house in 1000 block Mountain View Rd. while he was in hospital. Investigation continuing.
12:40 p.m. – Shelly Lee Cox, 54, arrested on Lebanon Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in traffic case, 24th Ave. at railroad. Cited and released.
12:51 p.m. – Allen Joseph Hall Jr., 47, arrested by Oregon State Police on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrant for failure to comply in harassment case. Cited to appear April 23.
2:37 p.m. – Davy Anthony Phillips, 52, arrested on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrant for failure to comply in trespass case, after he turned himself in at SHPD, 1950 Main St. Cited and released.
2:53 p.m. – Caller reported that another vehicle had struck his in Les Schwab parking lot, 1700 block Main St., then left scene. Officer responded, report taken for hit and run. Estimated damage over $500.
3:02 p.m. – Mitch Matthew Cobine, 50, arrested on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrant for failure to comply in criminal mischief case, after he turned himself in at SHPD, 1950 Main St. Cited and released.
3:32 p.m. – Barbara Fay Kapicka, 62, arrested for failure to register as sex offender after visiting SHPD, 1950 Main St. to register change of address. She was found to allegedly be out of compliance with registration requirements. Cited and released.
4:36 p.m. – Jimmy Rodger Varner, 58, arrested on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrant for failure to comply in theft case, Lebanon Municipal Court warrant for failure to comply in driving while suspended case, Albany Municipal Court warrant for failure to comply in contempt of court case. Varner turned himself in at SHPD, 1950 Main St. Cited and released.
5:21 p.m. – Crash reported at Milepost 7, near intersection of Hwy. 228/Nye Rd., Brownsville. According to OSP, a Chevy pickup, towing horse trailer, driven by Ryan Romaine Bateman, was rear-ended by Cadillac driven by Ryan Dale Vanderyacht. Bateman had stopped his truck because a flagger had halted traffic for a construction project. According to OSP, witnesses stated the Cadillac was traveling around 50 to 60 mph and did not slow down prior to the crash. According to OSP, Vanderyacht told investigators he was reaching for a bag in the passenger seat and was looking down at the time of the crash. He was cited for following too closely and failure to install ignition interlock device. The Cadillac was towed.
8:32 p.m. – Ashley Kay Miles, 36, arrested by LCSO on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrant for failure to comply in theft case. Cited to appear April 23.
March 26
7:58 a.m. – Michele Lynn McMullen, 46, arrested on Albany Municipal Court warrant for failure to comply in contempt case, Milepost 26 on Hwy, 20. Also cited for driving while suspended. Cited and released.
8:23 a.m. – Caller reported male covered in blood stating he had tried to kill himself and was going to try again. Officer responded. Male transported by medics to hospital. Report to be forwarded to county Mental Health. Wiley Creek Community, 5050 Mountain Fir St.
9:43 a.m. – Caller reported fraudulent activity on her account. 28000 block Pleasant Valley Rd. Investigation continuing. Report taken.
10:20 a.m. – Jose Gomez, 26, of Lafayette, cited for speeding, Hwy. 20/Country Lane.
10:31 a.m. – Kyle Collins of Sweet Home cited for multiple traffic violations, Hwy. 20/Dew Rd.
11:32 a.m. – Kelly Duane Kearns, 53, arrested on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear in carrying concealed weapon case and theft case. 3100 block Main St. Cited and released.
12:02 p.m. – Michael Todd Rosencrantz, 37, arrested on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in theft case, Linn County Circuit Court warrant for failure to appear in strangulation, menacing, unlawful use of weapon, assault and possession of controlled substance cases. Cited and released. 42nd Ave./Osage St.
12:20 p.m. – Caller reported he added unknown person on TikTok, who tried to scam caller out of money by threatening to leak information. 30100 block Crook Dr., Halsey Information noted.
1:43 p.m. -David Graciano, 46, Bend, cited for no valid driver’s license, invalid license seized. 600 block Main St.
2:29 p.m. – Austin Dominique Bell, 27, arrested for assault on a public safety officer, resisting arrest, second-degree criminal trespass, fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, and second-degree disorderly conduct after caller reported male throwing large rocks in the road in 1400 block 24th Ave. and threatening employees at city Public Works yard. Lodged at Linn County Jail.
3:22 p.m. – Landon Frank Gerard, 48, arrested at Sweet Home Police Department, 1950 Main St., after he turned himself in, on Sweet Home Municipal Court Warrant for failure to comply in criminal trespass case. Cited to appear April 23.
3:25 p.m. – Kaitlin Chandra Lagene Lay, 28, arrested on Lebanon Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in driving while suspended case, after she turned herself in at SHPD, 1950 Main St. Cited and released.
3:42 p.m. – Caller reported locating homemade firearm in 900 block Birch St. According to SHPD, the pistol seized was all metal, black in color, and held together by springs and bolts. The homemade firearm was fully functional, but was covered in dirt and rust. It is believed, based on its condition, that it had been in the yard for a long time. Officer seized pistol for destruction.
6:19 p.m. – LCSO investigated “multiple crimes” in area of 40900 block of Hwy. 228. Report taken.
7:13 p.m. – Caller reported storm drain flooding and water running into his house in 1300 block Quince St. Public Works notified.
7:53 p.m. – Caller from Safeway, 1540 Main St., reported that female who had been trespassed from store had hidden an unknown amount of items in her pants and had run behind the store. Officer responded, was unable to locate female but recovered stolen items, valued at $214. Report taken for attempted theft.
11:01 p.m. – William Lee Phillips, 42, arrested by Albany police on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in theft case. Cited to appear April 9.
11:08 p.m. – Robbie Ray Kennedy arrested on Linn County Justice Court warrant for contempt of court, Wiley Creek Park. Also arrested for possession of meth. Cited and released.
11:13 p.m. – Nicholas Daniel Gaskey arrested on Linn County Circuit court warrant for failure to appear in unauthorized use of vehicle case after he turned himself in at SHPD, 1950 Main St. Cited and released.
March 25
1:00 a.m. – Brandy Marshall, 42, of Sweet Home, cited on warrant 47200 block Old Hufford Dr. Report taken.
10:02 a.m. – Theft of trail camera reported in 47200 block Old Hufford Dr. on Cascade Timber Consulting property, Report taken.
2:20 p.m. – Amanda Lynn Plaugher, 27, arrested for outstanding warrants, 40900 block Hwy. 228. Report taken.
5:49 p.m. – Crash reported in 42000 block North River Dr. LCSO reported that operator failed to negotiate curve, crashed into ditch and sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Transported to hospital. Report taken.
March 24
2:33 a.m. – LCSO reported ingestion poisoning in 3300 block Long St. Officer responded and assisted as male was transported by medics.
10:49 a.m. – Darin O’Bannon, of Brownsville, cited for two dogs running at large, Blakely Ave./Washburn St., Brownsville.
2:37 p.m. – Jordan Scott Carter, 35, arrested by Lebanon police on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrants for failure to appear in theft and unauthorized use of motor vehicle cases. Cited to appear April 23.
4:12 p.m. – Deputy contacted teenager in 400 block W. F St., Halsey, told him to stop trespassing on other people’s property. According to LCSO, responsible adult was contacted about the matter and was “argumentative” with deputy about son’s alleged trespassing.
4:56 p.m. Sara Rene Massey, 33, of Brownsville, cited for failure to renew vehicle registration, 100 block S. Main St., Brownsville.
6:20 p.m. – Multiple callers reported railroad irons down on Pleasant Valley Road and traffic backed up to Highway 20. Officer responded, assisted.
7:39 p.m. – Caller reported someone had tampered with railroad signals on Pleasant Valley Road. Officer responded, report taken for first-degree criminal mischief.
8:57 p.m. – Emilio Grajiola, 18, of Sweet Home, cited for second-degree trespass, Old Hufford Dr./Quartzville Rd Report taken.
10:15 p.m. – Juveniles arrested by LCSO personnel for minor in possession, Old Hufford Dr./Quartzville Rd. Report taken.
10:24 p.m. – Brian Scott Holden, 48, arrested on Sweet Home Municipal Court warrant for failure to comply in theft case, Lebanon Municipal Court warrant for contempt of court, and Linn County Justice Court warrant for second-degree criminal trespass. Arrest followed report from caller who saw flashlights near river at White’s Park. Officer responded and trespassed males from location in 1300 block Pleasant Valley Rd. Holden cited and released.
10:41 p.m. – Azreal Averie Osborn, 18, arrested on Linn County Circuit Court warrant for probation violation in trespass case, 3200 block Main St. Cited and released.