In January of 2015 the Newport Police Officers began a sexual assault investigation involving a Special Education Assistant at the Newport High School, and a female student. During the investigation it was learned that Special Education Assistant Stewart Douglas Curry, age 61 of Toledo, was observed exiting a locked storage closet at the school with a 14-year old female student.
The investigation remained open due to the limited information gathered from the original report. In May 2017, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office investigated Curry for an unrelated sexual assault case involving another minor child. The Newport Police Department, and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, combined their investigative efforts, and identified additional evidence related to the 2015 investigation. On June 15, 2017, investigators obtained an Indictment Warrant for the arrest of Curry on criminal charges of Rape in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sex Abuse in the First Degree.
On June 20, 2017, the Newport Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, US Marshals, and the Oregon State Police SWAT took Curry into custody, without incident, at his residence on Yasek Loop in Toledo.
Curry is being held at the Lincoln County Jail on the above listed charges. His bail was set at $1,500,000. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Det. Lance Cummings, 541-574-3348.
The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455 or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856
On May 30, 2017, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Newport Police Officers were dispatched to a burglary in progress. Officers responded to a residence in the 1000 Block of NE Laural Street in Newport.
Upon arrival, Officers learned that a single male had forced entry into the home through the front door. The homeowners were able to escape without having any direct contact with the intruder.
Officers entered the home and located the male barricaded in an upstairs bedroom. When confronted by Police Officers, the subject resisted arrest, and attempted to assault the Officers by striking them with blunt objects.
The subject was taken into custody without injury to himself or responding Officers. He refused to provide any information. He was transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was charged with Burglary 1st Degree; Criminal Mischief 1st Degree; Resisting Arrest; and Attempted Assault on a Public Safety Officer. His bail was set at $1,000,000.
On May 31, 2017, Newport Police Detectives continued efforts to identify the subject. A scan of his fingerprints revealed no criminal history. He continued to refuse to provide any information. During the investigation, Detectives determined the subject in custody was Justin Eric Pommerenck, age 29 of Salem. On May 30, 2017, Pommerenck had been reported to Oregon State Police Troopers at the Oregon State University Patrol Office as a Missing Person.
The Newport Police Department has been assisted in this investigation by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, and the Oregon State Police.
Anyone with further information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Officer Mitch France at 541-574-3367. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455 or Text-A-Tip at 541-270-1856.
On 05/26/2017, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Newport Police Officers were dispatched to a vehicle hit-and-run on NW Oceanview Dr. Dispatch had been advised that a tow truck from AA Rowley's Towing had been struck by a vehicle that then fled the scene. Newport Police Officers made contact with the tow truck driver, who described the suspect vehicle as a silver or Grey SUV. The tow truck driver told Officers that, as he was helping a stranded motorist, his truck was hit by the SUV. It appeared the SUV sustained a flat tire from the crash. The tow truck sustained damage from the collision.
A short time later, Newport Police Officers located the suspect vehicle, and conducted a traffic stop at the Agate Beach Wayside. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Justin Dean Haworth, age 36 of South Beach. Officers noted that Haworth's vehicle had fresh damage to it, and a spare tire was being utilized. The original tire, which was shredded by having been driven on, was located inside Haworth's vehicle.
Haworth was exhibiting signs of impairment. He consented to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which he failed. Haworth refused to provide a breath sample. He was transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital. A search warrant was obtained, and a blood draw conducted.
Haworth was transported to the Lincoln County Jail, and lodged on the following charges: Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver; DUII; Reckless Driving; Reckless Endangering; and Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree. Haworth was also issued a citation for Refusal to take a Breath Test. Haworth's bail was set at $75,000.
Anyone with further information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Sgt. Brad Purdom at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455 or Text-A-Tip at 541-270-1856.