Vega Alexandre

For the past several months, members of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) have been conducting a narcotics investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) operating in the Portland Metro area.

On August 14, 2018, SIU conducted a traffic stop on Amador Patino and Prisciliano Vega-Alexandre. SIU searched the vehicle and found an ounce of heroin in the vehicle and $11,000 cash. The two suspects were arrested for Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance (PCS/DCS) of heroin.

SIU received consent to search an address on SE Division Street where they located approximately $97,000 cash, drug records and drug packaging material. They continued their investigation with a search warrant for an apartment on SE Powell Court. In the apartment, SIU located approximately 21 pounds of methamphetamine, 7.6 pounds of heroin, drug records, scales and packaging material.

The next day, August 15, SIU learned of another address on SE 136th Avenue that Vega-Alexandre was living. With one more search warrant, SIU located another 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine and 7 ounces of heroin.  In total, the street value of the seized drugs could be worth up to $1,000,000.

Patino and Vega-Alexandre were booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of PCS/DCS of methamphetamine and heroin. Both have since bailed out of jail, at a combined bail total of $110,500. Patino failed to appear for a court appearance and has a warrant out for his arrest.

More information about SIU can be found at www.mcso.us/site/siu.php.

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* Update *

MCSO would like to thank the Portland Police Bureau and Gresham Police Department for their partnership during the joint traffic safety mission on Highway 30 during the 2018 Hood to Coast Relay.

The combined effort resulted in a total of 56 citations, most of which were for speeding. Additionally, 51 warnings were given to drivers. The highest speed cited was 70mph.

Whether there are Relay participants on our roadways or not, MCSO reminds you to obey all traffic laws and posted speed limits.

Original Message:

Thousands of runners take to the roads this weekend for the 2018 Hood to Coast Relay! The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) is proud to support these athletes as they cover 200 miles from Timberline Lodge, through parts of Multnomah County, and out to the beaches of Seaside, Oregon.

MCSO, Portland Police Bureau (PPB), and Gresham Police Department (GPD) will participate in a joint traffic mission with added patrols on Highway 30 on August 24th to ensure the safety of runners, volunteers, and transport vans as they pass through our community.

Drivers are encouraged to be aware of the Hood to Coast Relay route and to drive with caution when in the vicinity of Relay participants. More information about Hood to Coast, including the full route, can be found here.

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Boege

Yesterday morning, August 24, at approximately 4:00 a.m., the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Fire Department, and AMR responded to the report of a crash involving a single vehicle on Historic Columbia River Highway in Troutdale.

Upon arrival of emergency responders, it was determined that the passenger of the vehicle was deceased.  The driver remained on scene, and suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash.

The East County Vehicular Crimes Team, consisting of MCSO Deputies, Gresham Police Officers, and members of the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, responded to conduct the crash investigation. The Historic Columbia River Highway was closed from the Troutdale Bridge to Woodard Road during the investigation, and reopened a few hours later. Preliminary investigation indicates that speed and other factors contributed to the crash.

The passenger has been identified as Sarah Pearson, age 21, from Portland, Oregon. The driver, identified as Noah Boege(Mug shot attached), age 18, has been arrested and charged with Manslaughter II, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment, and DUII.  

The investigation in on-going, and no further details are available at this time.

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) will be conducting enhanced DUII enforcement throughout August and continuing through Labor Day Weekend. Funding for this extended effort targeting impaired drivers is provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

As Labor Day Weekend approaches and summer comes to a close, we are reminding travelers to drive sober and to obey traffic laws. According to stats from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every day, almost 29 people in the United States die in alcohol-impaired vehicle crashes—that's one person every 50 minutes.

Always have a plan

• Designate a sober driver. Is it your turn to be the D.D.? Take that role seriously—your friends could be relying on you.
• Call a taxi or ride-sharing service.
• Use public transportation.
• If you see an impaired driver, call 9-1-1.
• If you know someone who plans to drive impaired, take the keys and make arrangements for a safe trip home.

With so many alternatives, there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel after using intoxicants.

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In addition to DUII enforcement, MCSO deputies are emphasizing proper safety belt and child-seat use.

• Oregon law requires children to be secured in a rear-facing safety seat until their second birthday.
• Keep kids in booster seats until they’re 4’ 9” to ensure a safe fit.
• Safety belts used correctly can reduce the risk of major crash injury or death by up to 65%.

See something, say something: Report impaired or dangerous drivers!

Non-Emergency dispatch can be reached at 503-823-3333, or if there is a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. Help us keep our community safe.

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On August 21, 2018 at approximately 3:50 p.m., the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Corbett Fire Department, and American Medical Response responded to the report of a hiker who fell approximately 50 feet off of the trail at Bridal Veil Falls. When MCSO and Corbett Fire arrived on scene, good Samaritans were performing CPR on the hiker. Corbett Fire and the deputy took over CPR, and continued administering aid until AMR arrived. Despite lifesaving efforts, the hiker died from his injuries.

The deceased hiker has been identified as John Ferdinand Winther, age 64, from Mastic Beach, New York.

Preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Winther was hiking down the trail with his family, when he slipped and fell off the lower end of the Bridal Veil Falls trail.

MCSO would like to thank the bystanders who provided first aid and assisted Mr. Winther, along with first responders from Corbett Fire, AMR, and MCSO Search and Rescue.