Two Sweet Home-area residents were arrested Saturday night, March 22, following a burglary investigation and search for one suspect, who was tracked down by police dogs.
Sheriff’s personnel responded about 6:19 p.m. to a report of a burglary in progress in the 36100 block of Highway 228 near Brownsville. A caller reported two people going through buildings, Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan said in a statement.
Deputies located a male and female on the property. Deputies contacted the male, later identified as Ryan Rikala, 38, of Sweet Home, who fled the area into the darkness after a physical altercation with a deputy.
The deputy heard a loud “pop” during the altercation and believed it was from a firearm.
The female, identified as Stefani Brock, 34, of Crawfordsville, was taken into custody.
Deputies and additional officers from Oregon State Police and Albany Police Department quickly set up a perimeter. Deputies utilized multiple K9s and drones to search the area for Rikala.
According to a news release issued by the Albany Police Department, deputies requested assistance from Albany police. Albany Officer Nate Ard, with K9 Mando, responded to assist along with a second officer, Paul Harris, who is an FAA-licensed UAS pilot.
Corvallis Police Department also responded to the request for assistance by sending another FAA-licensed UAS pilot.
The K9 track led outside the initial perimeter and into a nearby field where Mando located a discarded flashlight and handgun. Based on the direction of the K9 track, a new perimeter was established.
The second officer deployed the drone and used the thermal imaging capabilities of the drone to provide overwatch for the K9 search team.
As Mando continued the track, Harris located Rikala hiding in the brush line north of the burglary, ahead of the tracking team.
According to Duncan, Rikala attempted to flee again by jumping in the Calapooia River and swimming to the opposite side. By this time, Sheriff’s Sgt. Matt Sheets and his partner K9 Juice had been called out from home to assist with the search and through a coordinated effort of the deputies on perimeter, drones from APD and CPD, and K9s Mando and Juice, the suspect was surrounded and taken into custody without further incident.
Rikala was lodged at the Linn County Jail on charges of first-degree burglary, felon in possession of a firearm and resisting arrest.
Brock was lodged at the Linn County Jail for first-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime.
According to the Sheriff’s log, a Rigid 16-gallon shop vacuum valued at $119 and a Stealth trail camera valued at $99.99 were reported missing from residence when deputies arrived.
Also assisting in the effort were Brownsville Fire Department personnel, Duncan said.