FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: October 1, 2021
Salem, Ore. — Under the leadership of Police Chief Trevor Womack, the Salem Police Department is developing its very first strategic plan. The plan’s three-year framework will provide a focus for the agency, ensuring the best use of limited resources toward measurable progress.
“We are working toward solidifying a new policing philosophy in Salem which improves safety and quality of life, while enhancing trust in the department,” said Womack of the new initiative.
The development of the plan incorporates recommendations from the 2020 Community Engagement Assessment and includes an internal and external planning process, combining employee input and community feedback. Over the summer, the department’s mission, vision, and values, as well as overarching goals were completed through employee discussions and surveys with community input collected through National Night Out block parties.
Womack explained, “At this stage of the plan development, community input is crucial. Now that each goal has a set of proposed objectives, we need to hear from our community.” Input will be collected through an online survey which is available in English and Spanish through October 24, 2021.
More information about the Salem Police Strategic Plan is available bilingually through the City of Salem website.
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Salem, Ore. — On September 23, 2021 at approximately 5:15 p.m., officers responded to Secor Park, 5555 Stockton AV S, on a call of a juvenile suffering from a gunshot wound. Responding officers provided first aid to the juvenile until he was transported to Salem Health. He is expected to survive.
Officers and detectives eventually determined five juveniles, one female and four males ages 13 to 16, were in the wooded area of Secor Park. Two of the teens had handguns. One of the teens was handling one of the firearms when it discharged, and a round struck another teen below the waist.
Two firearms were recovered at the scene. Two of the male juveniles were arrested for the following crimes and taken to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center:
No further information will be released regarding this case.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: September 23, 2021
Salem, Ore. — Patrol officers responded to the 3700 block of Portland RD NE yesterday afternoon, September 22, 2021, on the report of shots fired into an occupied vehicle.
Fortunately, none of the occupants were injured.
Officers quickly began a search of the area including a homeless camp situated in the direction from which the shots were fired. Individuals in the camp were able to provide information about the incident which led to the arrest of Ivanovich Garcia Sanchez, age 39. Patrol officers successfully located casings and the firearm believed to be used in the incident.
Sanchez is lodged at the Marion County Jail on the charges of reckless endangering and unlawful use of a weapon.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Wednesday, September 23, 2021
Press release update:
Arrested in this incident was Larry Ray Hatlestad, age 43. He is lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:
Hatlestad was detained when a responding patrol officer located him trying to hide in a restaurant near the scene.
The decedent has been identified as 29-year-old Abraham Torres Borja.
Hatlestad will be arraigned at 2:30 p.m. at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex today. All further inquiries on this case should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
Our thanks to the witnesses who assisted patrol officers in the search for the suspect. We also extend thanks to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police who also assisted in the search and helped bring the incident to conclusion.
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Original press release published September 22, 2021:
Salem, Ore. — On September 22, 2021, at about 11:15 a.m., Salem Police officers responded the to the 1000 block of 39th AV NE on the report of a shooting.
Officers located one man who appeared to have multiple gunshot wounds. Officers closed multiple streets in the area to set up a perimeter search for involved individuals.
The man was transported to Salem Health where he subsequently died from his wounds.
Several people have been detained and we do not believe there is any further threat to the public. During the next few hours, 39th AV between Anita DR and D ST NE will remain closed for the investigation.
As this incident is an ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Salem, Ore. — Today, September 14, 2021, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Gilbert Jesus Machuca, age 29 of California, stole a knife inside the WinCo Foods on Lancaster Drive SE. He then walked to the front of the store and demanded money from one of the cashiers while brandishing the knife.
After taking the money Machuca fled to the parking lot where he approached two women who were getting into a car. He attempted to steal the car, but the women were able to get in their car and escape.
Machuca was quickly arrested across the street at a gas station.
The two women in the vehicle were not identified and detectives would like to speak with them about what happened. If you are one of the women that Machuca approached or know who they are, please contact the Salem Police Department’s non-emergency number at 503-588-6123, select option 1.
Machuca was lodged at the Marion County Correctional Facility on the following charges:
No further information will be released at this time. Any further inquiries may be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
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Salem, Ore. — Salem Police Detectives are investigating three shootings that occurred, Monday, September 13, 2021, during the afternoon and late-night hours.
The first shooting occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. in the 4500 block of Sunnvview RD NE where one round struck a house.
The second and third shootings took place minutes apart beginning at approximately 11:00 p.m. in the 1500 block of Evergreen AV NE. Seven minutes later, the third incident was reported in the 3400 block of 30th AV NE. In these shooting incidents, vehicles and apartments were struck with multiple bullets.
No one was injured in any of the occurrences.
In each of the shootings, which are believed to be connected, a current-model white sedan was seen in the area.
Detectives are asking anyone with information to please call the Salem Police Tips Line at 503-588-8477.
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Salem, Ore. — On September 14, 2021 at approximately 1:00 am the Salem Police Department received a “hold-up” alarm from Cooper’s Deli at 1541 Hawthorne Av NE. As officers approached the location, they saw a man exit the Deli and walk in the direction of the responding officers. When the man saw the officers he quickly turned and went the opposite direction.
Officers began to follow the man on foot, who then started to run as he was reaching into his back-pocket area.
After a short chase, the man complied with commands and was detained. The man, later identified as Dannie Kay Alston, age 70 of Salem, had in his possession a loaded .22 caliber pistol.
Officers reviewed store video surveillance and confirmed Alston had robbed the deli. Officers recovered the stolen property and returned it to the owners. He was lodged at the Marion County Correctional Facility on the following charges:
Alston is scheduled to be arraigned at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex at 2:30 pm today. Any further questions should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
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Salem, Ore. — On Friday, September 3, 2021, at approximately 6:45 p.m., Salem police and firefighters responded to a motorcycle crash near Fairway DR and Lexington CR SE.
The first arriving officer attempted lifesaving measures for the motorcycle rider before paramedics arrived. Ultimately, the rider identified as David Patrick Lewallen, age 41 of Jefferson, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The initial investigation indicates Lewallen was driving southbound on Fairway DR when he could not negotiate the curve near Lexington CR and left the roadway, striking multiple objects.
Lewallen’s was the only vehicle involved in the crash.
The Salem Police Traffic Team responded to the incident and is completing the investigation.
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