Man Who Reported Dog Stolen During Robbery Now Facing Animal Abuse Charges (Photo) - 11/26/25

Gresham, Ore.— A Gresham man who reported his 9-month-old dog had been stolen during a robbery is now the suspect in an animal abuse investigation. 

In mid-November, Christian Myles told police four people attacked him while he was walking in downtown Gresham.  Myles claimed the suspects stole his German Shepherd / Rottweiler mix, Shayla, and fled in a white SUV.  Myles was highly intoxicated and was unable to provide an exact location where the alleged robbery took place. 

Several days later, following extensive media coverage, a community member brought Shayla to the Gresham Police Department.  Multnomah County Animal Services took custody of Shayla when efforts to reach Myles were unsuccessful. 

At the same time, Gresham Police continued investigating Myles’ initial robbery claims.  Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from multiple businesses.  They located footage of Myles with Shalya near a bar in downtown Gresham.  The video showed Myles repeatedly striking Shayla.  Within minutes, Myles became involved in a physical altercation with a patron of the bar.  During that altercation, a different community member took Shayla, out of concern for the dog’s safety. 

Based on their investigation, detectives have determined Myles’ statement that he was robbed by four individuals was a lie.  Detectives are attempting to locate and arrest Myles for Aggravated Animal Abuse in the First Degree, Initiating a False Report, and other crimes.  Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Justin Pick at Justin.Pick@GreshamOregon.gov.

While the Gresham Police Department is grateful a concerned community member took action to ensure Shayla’s safety, their subsequent efforts to informally find her a new home were inappropriate and potentially illegal.  Anyone who witnesses an animal being abused should call 911. 

Shayla remains in the care of Multnomah County Animal Services.

Gresham Police Searching For Puppy Taken In Robbery (Photo) - 11/19/25

***UPDATE: Shayla has been located and is safe. The case is still under investigation.***

CASE UPDATE:   Nov 19, 2025

RELEASE DATE:   Nov 18, 2025
CASE NUMBER:     25-47558
 

Gresham, Ore.— Gresham Police is asking for the public’s assistance with locating a 9-month-old German Shepherd Mix taken in a Central City Neighborhood Robbery.

Shortly before 10:30 p.m., last night, Officers responded to a report of a robbery in the 100 block of W Powell Blvd. Officers arrived and contacted the victim, who had been assaulted. The victim reported he had been attacked by three males and one female that were not known to him. He reported that one of the suspects loaded his 9-month-old puppy, Shayla, into a white Chevy Tahoe or similar vehicle before all the suspects fled in the vehicle. Shayla is described as a German Shepherd / Rottweiler mix.

If anyone has information about this case or the puppy’s whereabouts , they are asked to call non-emergency at 503-823-3333 or the Gresham Police Tip-Line at 503-618-2719.

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Final Suspect Arrested For Murder Of Liam Spahnle-Bailey - 11/13/25

Gresham, Ore.— The third suspect in the killing of Gresham 13-year-old Liam Spahnle-Bailey has been arrested. 

Liam was killed in late-April while sleeping in his father’s apartment.  When a shooting occurred in a neighboring unit, gunfire traveled through the wall between the apartments, striking Liam in his bed. Officers and paramedics rendered medical aid to Liam, and he was transported to a local hospital. Tragically, he was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival at the hospital. Liam and his father had planned to go snowboarding on the day of the shooting.

The East County Major Crimes Team led the investigation into Liam’s death. The Major Crimes Team is an interagency team of detectives from the Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Port of Portland Police Department, Oregon State Police, and attorneys from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.  Investigators identified Terrell Coy, along with Anthony Hunter Jr. and Xavier Hirsch, as the suspects responsible for Liam’s death and obtained warrants for their arrest.  A nationwide manhunt ensued, involving law enforcement in Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Texas. 

Anthony Hunter Jr. was arrested in Portland in early September.  In mid-October, Xavier Hirsh was arrested at a residence in Beaverton.  Following tips from the community, members of the US Marshals Service arrested 17-year-old Terrell Coy this afternoon at an apartment in southeast Portland. 

“No parent should have to worry about losing a child to gun violence, but the killing of a young man asleep in his own bed is particularly shocking.  In the months since Liam’s murder, our detectives have worked tirelessly to ensure everyone responsible is brought to justice,” said Gresham Police Chief Travis Gullberg.  “While nothing can undo the pain Liam’s family, friends, classmates, and community have experienced in the wake of his death, I hope these arrests bring some measure of closure.  I am grateful for the assistance we received from our law enforcement partners across the country, and particularly the efforts of the US Marshals Service in locating and arresting the suspects in Liam’s murder.  Our work will continue, supporting the District Attorney’s Office as this case proceeds in court.” 

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said “I’m thankful that police were so dedicated and worked so hard to bring Mr. Coy to justice. This is just the beginning. My office will do everything in our power to make sure everyone responsible for the death of Liam is held accountable. This man hunt has lasted more than six months. We will also prosecute anyone we can prove helped the suspects hide from police.”

Assault Victim Dies, Suspect Arrested For Manslaughter (Photo) - 11/12/25

Gresham, Ore.— On November 6^th, Gresham police officers responded to a report of two people fighting at a video lottery establishment near SE 182^nd Ave and SE Powell Blvd.  Officers arrived to find 35-year-old David Lomas unconscious in the parking lot.  Lomas was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival at the hospital.   An autopsy determined Lomas died of blunt force trauma. 

Detectives with the East County Major Crimes Team learned Lomas had been involved in a physical fight with 35-year-old Richard Henderson moments before he collapsed.  This morning, detectives and East Metro SWAT served a warrant at Henderson’s residence in the 200 block of SE Vista Ave.  Henderson was taken into custody without incident.  He was booked into Multnomah County Jail for Manslaughter in the Second Degree.

Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Martin Daly at Martin.Daly@GreshamOregon.gov or Detective Lindsay Friderich at Lindsay.Friderich@GreshamOregon.gov.

No additional information is being released at this time.

Police Seek Help Locating Missing Endangered Adult (Photo) - 11/10/25

***UPDATE: SANTOS HAS BEEN LOCATED***

RELEASE DATE:                Nov. 9, 2025
CASE NUMBER:                  25-46205
 

Gresham, Ore.—Gresham Police is asking for assistance from the public with locating a missing 41-year-old man, Kai Santos.  The staff at Santos’ care facility in the 400 block of NE 5 St., report that he left yesterday at about 9:30 a.m. Santos is a double amputee and quadriplegic and is unable to care for himself. He has close cropped black hair and brown eyes.

Santos is described by his family as a Filipino male who needs a wheelchair and assistance from someone at all times. It is believed that Santos scheduled a medical transport for himself using a service called Ride To Care but his family has been unable to confirm where he was taken.

Anyone who knows of Santo’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 or non-emergency at 503-823-3333

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Gresham Man Arrested For Crash That Killed Two (Photo) - 11/07/25

Gresham, Ore.— Investigators with the East County Vehicular Crimes Team have arrested 22-year-old Eyasu Bedasso in relation to a fatal June traffic crash.

On June 16th, officers responded to a serious traffic crash on SW Towle Ave in Gresham. A small SUV driven by Bedasso collided with another vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle, 69-year-old Theresa Heick, died at the scene. Theresa’s husband and passenger, 79-year-old Robert Heick, was transported to the hospital with critical injuries. Robert died of his injuries several days later.

Members of the East County Vehicular Crimes Team investigated the crash. The VCT is made up of specially trained officers from the Gresham Police Department and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, along with dedicated prosecutors from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.

Investigators reviewed physical evidence at the scene, surveillance video, and data captured by the involved vehicle’s onboard computers. An unmanned aircraft system (drone) was also used to analyze and document the crash scene. They determined Bedasso’s vehicle was travelling more than 80mph in the posted 35mph zone. His speed was the major cause of the crash. Investigators do not believe impairment was a factor in the collision.

Bedasso was indicted by a Grand Jury on October 31st and arrested by investigators on November 5th. He was booked into Multnomah County Jail to face two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, two counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide, and Reckless Driving. This crash is a tragic reminder of the danger and potential consequences when motorists disregard posted speed limits.

Community Tips Lead To Arrest Of Suspect In Halloween Disturbance - 11/05/25

Gresham, Ore.— After receiving multiple tips from the community, police have identified the suspect in a Halloween altercation at a Gresham drive-thru as 64-year-old David Mead Sr.  Officers located and arrested Mead early Wednesday evening. 

Through their investigation, officers determined the weapon Mead brandished was a compressed-air powered device designed to fire irritant or kinetic projectiles.  The design, coloration, and operation of the device mimic a firearm.  While it is not illegal to possess this kind of self-defense tool, displaying it or any replica firearm during a dispute can cause the situation to escalate and may lead to criminal charges. 

Mead was booked into Multnomah County Jail, where he faces charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and three counts of Menacing. 

The Gresham Police Department would like to thank our community and media partners for their assistance with this investigation.