Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on March 30, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., deputies responded to the areas of Waterloo and Lacomb, east of Lebanon, for several reports of someone firing a handgun from a silver-colored sedan.
Deputies responded and located bullet casings in the 39000 block of Lacomb Drive, where a witness gave a description of the vehicle and identified a white male in his 20’s as the suspect. Witnesses described the behavior from the suspect as shooting the firearm in the air or at the ground.
While deputies were investigating the shootings they learned a silver-colored vehicle was reported to have crashed in the ditch on Brewster Road. A good Samaritan stopped to check on the occupants and one of the occupants requested the incident go unreported to police. This prompted the citizen to report the suspicious behavior and the vehicle left the scene.
Deputies responded to the area of the crash and found a silver-colored sedan with heavy damage on Highway 226 with a male hanging out the passenger window. They stopped the vehicle and could see the occupants attempting to hide something in the vehicle. Deputies contacted two intoxicated adults, Austin Hickman, 24, of Albany and Tyson Hanson, 20, of Albany in the front seats. A third male juvenile was in the back.
Deputies wrote a search warrant for the vehicle and seized a Glock 9mm handgun, 9mm ammunition, firearm accessories and alcohol. Deputies obtained multiple witness statements and evidence which lead to the arrest of Hickman relating to the shootings.
Hickman was transported to the Linn County Jail where he was lodged on charges of Unlawful Use of a Firearm, Menacing, Disorderly Conduct II, DUII, Reckless Driving and Providing Alcoholic Liquor to a Person Under 21.
Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on March 13, 2024, deputies responded to a report of a vehicle fire at a rock quarry on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land off Camp Morrison Rd outside of Scio. A witness reported the vehicle had been lit on fire by multiple people who had been at the quarry target shooting. The witness reported the suspects left behind an AK47 rifle before fleeing the scene after lighting the vehicle on fire.
Deputies responded to the scene and found a Volkswagen sedan completely consumed by the fire and reported as stolen to the Corvallis Police Department. While deputies were investigating, the suspects returned to the scene to collect the AK47 left behind. Deputies detained Robert James Branch, 30, of Keizer, and Josie Doreen De La Cruz, 28, of Albany. Deputies seized the vehicle Branch and De La Cruz returned to the scene with.
This week, deputies obtained a search warrant for their vehicle and seized several items relating to the arson. They also located additional evidence related to the delivery of narcotics. Items seized included multiple lighters, multiple firearms, ammunition, about 400 grams of suspected methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl powder, a digital scale, methamphetamine paraphernalia, prescription medications, packaging material, and over $2,000 in cash.
Branch was transported to the Linn County Jail for Arson in the first degree, Attempted Delivery of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine. De La Cruz was transported to the Linn County Jail for Attempted Delivery of a Controlled Substance- Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle.
Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on March 20, 2024, at 10:58 p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office received the report of a male shot in the 300 block of NW Alder Street in Mill City. Deputies responded and found Brian Rendon, 52, of Mill City, deceased on scene.
Preliminary information has revealed Benjamin Harris, 50, of Mill City, shot Rendon while at Harris’s home. Harris and Rendon knew each other and had been roommates at the location. Harris has been lodged at the Linn County Jail on charges of Murder II. Detectives are continuing to conduct interviews, gather evidence and investigate the homicide.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Mill City Fire Department, Lyons Rural Fire District, and Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Scott Tennant (541) 967-3950.