- 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: 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); AMC (Albany Municipal Court); FTA (failure to appear); FTC (failure to comply). A roman numeral listed after a charge means that the charge is that numbered-degree: theft I (first-degree theft).
May 11
8:17 a.m. – Criminal mischief reported in 42900 block North River Dr. According to LCSO, caller reported a burgundy Honda Civic drove by his house during previous night, and passenger threw a motorcycle helmet at his mailbox, which knocked mailbox from the post. Investigation ongoing. Report taken.
9:56 a.m. – Steven Kenneth Stitt, 40, arrested for probation violation after caller reported that her brother, who had been trespassed from 600 block 17th Ave., was trying to get inside. Stitt lodged at Linn County Jail.
9:57 a.m. – Two bikes reported stolen from River Bend Campground, 45900 block Hwy. 20. Bikes described as Black Trek adult frame, value $500, and lime green frame, purple wheels, midsize frame, valued at $700.
Report taken.
12:26 p.m. – Crash reported in 1900 block Main St. According to SHPD, incident proved to be “minor fender-bender” in a parking lot. Drivers wereWesley Marchbanks and Otis Lozinto. Parties agreed to handle it themselves.
3:57 p.m. – Caller reported her vehicle was hit in Safeway parking lot at 1540 Main St. Officer responded, report taken. Damage estimated at less than $2,500.
5:38 p.m. – Burglary reported in 44400 block Wiley Creek Dr. Sean Robinson, 41, of Sweet Home, arrested for burglary II, theft III, cited for driving while suspended. Amber Barton, 46, of Sweet Home, arrested for burglary II, unlawful possession of meth. According to LCSO, the suspects entered a building on a remote property and were caught by deputies hiding on the property. Report taken.
10:32 p.m. – Deputies responded to report of suspicious circumstances in 500 block Hausman Ave., Brownsville. According to LCOS, juvenile was found heavily intoxicated in home. Deputies conducted interviews and documented the information, although, but no crimes initially reported. Investigation ongoing. Report taken.
11:28 p.m. – Brian Pierce, 24, of Sweet Home, arrested for unlawful use of weapon, menacing, 27800 block Seven Mile Lane, Brownsville. According to LCSO, this was a physical fight between two individuals at the location. When Pierce was contacted, he had what appeared to be a handgun in a holster in his hip. He was ordered to not reach for the gun, but allegedly didn’t listen to commands and deputies ultimately utilized a taser, before he was taken into custody. Report taken.
May 10
8:51 a.m. – Caller reported hit and run that had occurred during previous week. Vehicle damaged but further information unavailable. 400 block 9th Ave.
11:07 a.m. – David Melton, 51, of Washington, arrested for felon in possession of firearm, theft I, 33100 block Hwy. 228, Halsey. According to LCSO, Melton called in and asked for assistance finding his wallet and his handgun, which he believed he left in a hotel room. Deputies helped look in his car and the hotel room and eventually found the wallet and the handgun. During that process, they determined he was a felon and was restricted from possessing firearms, and the handgun was found to be stolen out of Washington State. Lodged at Linn County Jail. Report taken.
1:55 p.m. – Caller reported mother exploited by her significant other. Officer responded, report taken. 1200 block 41st Ave. Investigation continuing.
2:41 p.m. – Catherine Jean Hampton, 35, arrested by Lebanon police on SHMC warrant for FTA in fraudulent use of credit card case. Cited to appear May 28.
5:40 p.m. – Alicia Kathleen Martinez, 41, arrested for domestic violence – assault IV after caller reported her significant other had stolen and broken her phone, railroad tracks near 12th Ave. Martinez lodged at Linn County Jail.
9:33 p.m. – Joni Jean Finch arrested on Albany Municipal Court warrant for FTA in harassment case after SHPD officer on foot patrol at Northside Park spotted her there. Cited and released.
10:35 p.m. – Isaiah Lee Davis, 23, cited for careless driving, failure to obey traffic control device, following crash at Main St./Holley Rd. Further details on crash not available. Report taken.
May 9
9:47 a.m. – SHPD responded to report of violent, delusional male screaming in 1200 block 55th Ave. Male was transported to hospital by medics.
11:34 a.m. – Caller reported female missing since previous Saturday. Report taken for missing person: Ashley McCarthy, 27. She is known to be without a permanent address and may frequent areas around the county and in Albany. 800 block 3rd Ave.
1:19 p.m. – Earl Joseph McCaslin, 36, arrested on Linn County supervisory warrant for FTC in contempt of court case, LCCC warrants for FTA in multiple contempt cases, and LCJC warrant for probation violation in littering case. Lodged at Linn County Jail. Arrest followed SHPD response to report that boyfriend was allegedly being violent towards female, 4600 block Main St.
2:42 p.m. – Kelly Duane Kearns, 53, arrested on SHMC warrants for FTA in carrying concealed weapons case and theft case. 4400 block Long St. Cited and released.
3:47 p.m. – Daniel Joseph Maurice arrested by McMinneville police on SHMC warrant for FTA in criminal driving case. Cited to appear May 28.
5:43 p.m. – Caller reported found dog in 200 block S. Main St., Brownsville. Dog was initially believed to be abandoned, but had been forgotten by 9-year-old. Owner arrived to retrieve dog.
8:29 p.m. – Aelisha Adrian Devine arrested on Albany Municipal Court warrant for FTA in reckless burning case. 23rd Ave./Long St. Cited and released.
8:48 p.m. – Caller reported vehicle burglary in 1800 block Main St. Officer responded. Report taken for unauthorized entry into motor vehicle, theft I. Losses valued at $1,100.
9:17 p.m. – Multiple callers reported disturbance in 3100 block Main St. Officer responded, 16-year-old male referred to Juvenile Department for menacing.
May 8
12:24 a.m. – Samatha Marie Dietz, 42, arrested for disorderly conduct after caller reported that female was banging on her door in 1000 block Long St., screaming that caller had done something wrong to the complainant’s family.
2:45 p.m. – Caller reported juvenile on ATV hit staff vehicle at Sweet Home High School, 1641 Long St. School to handle discipline and involved parties to handle civilly.
2:49 p.m. – Officer came upon crash in area of Airport Rd./49th Ave. Damage below $2,500. Drivers were Ronald Wegener and Scott Dimick.
3:06 p.m. – Caller reported hit and run in area of 38th Ave./Long St. Reporting party stated she was driving westbound in a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 when her vehicle’s driver-side mirror was struck by an eastbound full-size pickup. The other vehicle did not stop. Officers are reviewing possible nearby video surveillance for leads. Report taken. Approximate property damage $200.
3:13 p.m. – Jose Guadalupe Gutierrez Ojeda, 25, arrested after traffic stop on LMC warrant for FTC in failure to obey traffic control device case, 1200 block 44th Ave. Also cited for not wearing motorcycle helmet, unlawful operation of motorcycle on highway, driving uninsured, failure to yield to emergency vehicle and driving while suspended.
9:58 p.m. – Andrew Robert Maloney, 44, arrested for DUII near milepost 18 on Hwy. 20. According to OSP, a trooper responded to reports that an individual was passed out behind the wheel of a Ford F-350 pickup in the area. Upon arrival the trooper determined that there was probable cause for a DUII test and Maloney consented to a field sobriety test, following which he was arrested. According to OSP he blew a BAC of .06% at Lebanon Police Department. Truck was towed.
10:10 p.m – Oscar Junior Phillips, 53, arrested following traffic stop on Philomath Municipal Court warrant for FTA in DUII case. Also cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured. 1400 block 22nd Ave.
10:49 p.m. – Cade Gaskey, 22, cited for speeding, 60/30, 49th Ave. near Long St.
11:20 p.m. – Thomas Junior McCarthey, 61, arrested for criminal driving following traffic stop in 1500 block Main St. Further information unavailable.
May 7
1:10 a.m. – Brandy Lee Dozier, 39, arrested by Albany police on SHMC warrant for FTA in criminal driving case. Cited to appear May 28.
8:43 a.m. – Caller reported homeless camp set up on vacant property in area of 1800 block Grape Loop. Officer responded, seized tent and tools. No indication of whom items belonged to. Caller was to alert police if someone showed up at location.
9:28 a.m. – City staffer reported damaged board on Weddle Bridge, 877 14th Ave. Asked to have juvenile excluded from park.
10:33 a.m. – Linda Evelene Kennedy arrested on LMC warrant for probation violation in theft case after police received call that male had kicked door open and damaged it, 1200 block Nandina St. Officer responded to initial call, then learned that Kennedy had warrant. Report taken for criminal mischief II. Kennedy cited and released.
12:19 p.m. – Caller reported seeing juvenile throwing trash, 15th Ave./Main St. Officer contacted juvenile, he was to return to pick it up.
12:36 p.m. – Caller reported he owns house in 1230 block Harding St. that is supposed to be vacant, and that real estate agent had someone there to take photos and that someone was in house. Officer responded. Turned out real estate agent was at wrong residence.
2:38 p.m. – Caller reported theft of trail camera from 48400 block Hwy. 20.
3:11 p.m. – Caller reported male screaming and cursing in front of City Hall, 3225 Main St. Officer responded, contacted male who was yelling due to pain. Male left area.
4:39 p.m. – OSP responded to report of fight near Milepost 39 on Hwy. 20. When trooper arrived, two individuals, identified as Angela Marie Olson, 63, of Cascadia and Mark Anthony SImpson, 54, of Cascadia, said they’d been pushed and punched and had a window broken out of their vehicle, a Saturn Vue. Suspects were reported to have left in a vehicle. They were not located. An LCSO log entry characterized the incident as “road rage.”
7:05 p.m. – Daniel Bernacel, 66, arrested on LCCC warrant for FTA in possession of meth case, Corvallis Municipal Court warrant for FTA in violent conduct case and FTA. 1200 block 23rd Ave. Cited and released.
8:04 p.m. – OSP responded to report of possible land mine in 43100 block McDowell Creek Dr. Investigation determined that buried item was old electric motor.
10:24 p.m. – Crash reported near Milepost 26 on Hwy. 20. Driver fled scene on foot. Officer responded. OSP on scene. Vehicle towed.
May 6
3:39 a.m. – Caller reported that her brother, who she said is schizophrenic, was sleepwalking and wouldn’t wake up, had tripped and fallen and was injured. Medics responded, transported male to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.
7:15 a.m. – Caller reported his daughter was hit by a car, which left the scene in 1500 block Tamarack St. According to SHPD, 10-year-old female was struck by 2011 Jeep Compass while running toward her school bus stop in the Tamarack Ridge Estates mobile home park. The child had exited her residence and was crossing the roadway when the incident occurred. Officer responded.. At 9:59 a.m., Andrea Lynn Leilani Kennedy was arrested in 1500 block Tamarack for failure to perform duties of driver to injured person. According to SHPD, case has been forwarded to District Attorney’s Office for review. Cited and released.
9:06 a.m. – Brent Anthony Prather arrested on SHMC warrant for FTC in trespass case, 600 block Main St. Cited and released.
10:19 a.m. – Timothy Richard Campbell, 60, cited for driving uninsured, 1200 block Main St.
12:00 p.m. – Caller reported that husband’s phone was stolen from 600 block Main St. Officer responded, report taken for theft II. Approximate value $210.
1:31 p.m. – Eugene Gregory, 85, of Sweet Home, arrested for harassment, resisting arrest, 27900 block Pleasant Valley Rd. According to LCSO, this was domestic disturbance which turned to a physical altercation. Gregory was arrested for his alleged role in the altercation. Report taken.
2:45 p.m. – Luis Giovanni Colon-Gandrud, 20, cited for failure to display plate, unsignaled turn, 1400 block 23rd Ave.
3:19 p.m. – Angler who accessed river via private property warned by LCSO, 45000 block Quartzville Rd.
3:28 p.m. – Kathleen Marie Dunten, 72, cited for driving uninsured, Main Street Market.
3:52 p.m. – Damion Michael Aragon arrested for criminal trespass II, criminal mischief II, assault on a public safety officer and resisting arrest, 2200 block Tamarack. Also cited on LCCC warrants for probation violations in robbery, resisting arrest and criminal mischief cases, and for FTA. According to SHPD, officers responded to a report of a shirtless male throwing traffic cones and rocks at vehicles and equipment in area. The male, later identified as Aragon, was observed climbing on and pounding on electrical traffic signs upon officers’ arrival. Witnesses reported that he refused to leave private property and was causing a disturbance. According to SHPD, officers attempted to arrest Aragon at the scene, but he physically resisted and was eventually taken into custody after a struggle. Lodged at Linn County Jail.
5:48 p.m. – Caller reported that vehicle carrying construction equipment hit power lines in area of 100 block Osage and that they were hanging lower than usual. Officer responded. Comcast was able to tie line up and would be putting in service call to CenturyLink.
6:08 p.m. – Crash reported in 25500 block Gap Rd., Brownsville. Investigation ongoing. According to LCSO, 2022 Hyundai LL was slowing to turn off the road, when a 2005 Toyota MTX, rear-ended the Hyundai. Investigation continuing. Names of drivers were not yet available. Report taken.
May 5
9:39 a.m. – Caller reported license plate stolen “some time last year.” 400 block 7th Ave. Report taken.
10:53 a.m. – Caller reported windows broken on several vehicles at auto sales business in 1300 block 47th Ave. Officer responded. Report taken for criminal mischief I.
11:05 a.m. – Joshua Parker, of Albany, cited for traffic violations, Linn Way/Depot Ave., Brownsville.
11:12 a.m. – Allen Joseph Hall arrested by Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office on SHMC warrant for FTC in harassment case. Cited to appear May 28.
11:23 a.m. – Lacey Collins, 33, of Corvallis, cited for driving while suspended, 300 block W. 2nd St., Halsey.
2:55 p.m. – Caller reported commercial vehicle took mirror off his truck and kept going, 900 block Main St. Officer responded, located suspect vehicle. Handled civilly.
3:07 p.m. – Jordan Owens, 29, of Sweet Home, cited for failure to renew vehicle registration, 2nd/E streets, Halsey.
7:47 p.m. – Obediah Jermiah Teixeira, 45, arrested on Benton County Circuit Court warrant for FTA in strangulation case, cited for driving while suspended, Lakeshore Park. Cited and released.
8:06 p.m. – Deputy located intoxicated female lying on sidewalk in 500 block Kirk Ave., Brownsville. She refused medical care and was taken home by a friend.