Oregon State Police arrested two persons in connection with a poaching case and a drive-by shooting on July 18.
Arrested were Bradley Jason Ross, 24, and William Dustin Cummings, 18, of 2391 Porter, Lebanon. Both were charged with unlawful taking deer closed season, unlawful taking grouse closed season, waste game mammal, hunting with aid of light, depositing debris within 100 yards of a stream, placing offensive substance on another’s property, first-degree attempted assault and unlawful use of a firearm.
On July 16, troopers Mari Branson and Luther Schwartz of the Albany Patrol Office received information regarding an individual who was unlawfully taking deer closed season, according to the police report. The suspect was apparently camping at the Yellowbottom camping area on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property along Quartzville Road and Green Peter Reservoir.
On July 17, troopers Branson and Schwartz received information regarding two deer carcasses apparently shot and left to waste on Corps property near Quartzville Creek and Green Peter. The majority of the animals had been left to waste along the creek, and troopers discovered an unlawfully taken grouse in a nearby campsite.
Simultaneously, troopers Branson and Schwartz were advised of a Linn County Sheriff’s Office investigation of a drive-by shooting at 28819 Santiam Terrace on July 15 at about 11:30 p.m. The suspects in the poaching case were the only persons of interest in the shooting investigation.
Evidence seized in the wildlife investigation corroborated the initial investigation of the shooting incident, and troopers Branson and Schwartz arrested Ross and Cummings.
According to the investigation, Cummings and Ross allegedly drove by and shot at the residence, the home of Garth Hillis. Bullets went through the windows and walls. Shell casings were recovered at the scene.
Don Hopkins owns the house. Hopkins said Cummings had, until recently, lived next door in another rental owned by Hopkins.