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@GreshamPolice
Gresham, Ore.— A Gresham man has been charged with murder for the December 2023 killing of Cody Funk. Funk’s body was found near the intersection of SE 190th Ave. and SE Division St. on the morning of December 26, 2023. An autopsy determined he died of multiple stab wounds. Funk was experiencing homelessness when he was killed.
Investigators with the Gresham Police Department and the East Multnomah County Major Crimes Team have been collecting and reviewing evidence in the case. Their findings were presented to a Grand Jury last Friday. As a result, 20-year-old Antony Kassab, of Gresham, was charged with Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
Kassab was already in custody, charged with Attempted Murder for stabbing David McQuown in February 2024. McQuown was also homeless at the time he was attacked.
“This suspect targeted particularly vulnerable members of the community. His behavior has no place in Gresham. Our detectives worked tirelessly to seek justice for Mr. Funk and Mr. McQuown,” said Police Chief Travis Gullberg.
Housing and houselessness support are priorities for the City of Gresham. Gresham operates a homeless services program, which connects people experiencing homelessness with resources. Anyone experiencing homelessness in Gresham can request assistance by calling 503-618-2441 or by visiting greshamoregon.gov/services/homeless-services.
Gresham, Ore.— A local 17-year-old has been arrested for a kidnapping and shooting that occurred in Gresham and led to a two-county vehicle pursuit.
Gresham Police responded to a report of a possible kidnapping just after 7:30 Tuesday evening. The caller reported the victim’s boyfriend had taken her from her workplace against her will. When members of the victim’s family tried to stop the kidnapping, the suspect shot at them before driving away.
Police began tracking the suspect as he drove out of Gresham. Deputies with the Multnomah and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Offices responded to assist. A Multnomah County Sheriff’s Deputy located the suspect’s vehicle near Dodge Park in a rural area of Clackamas County. When the Deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect drove away.
The suspect led Deputies and Officers on an almost 6-mile pursuit, before driving off the roadway near Barlow High School. The suspect fled into a nearby wooded area. A Gresham Police unmanned aircraft system was used to monitor the suspect from a distance while East Metro SWAT responded. The suspect was taken into custody shortly after SWAT arrived on scene.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. The suspect sustained cuts and scrapes from running through thick brush.
The suspect was charged with Attempted Murder, Kidnapping, and several other crimes constituting domestic violence. Because the suspect is a juvenile, no additional information can be released at this time.
RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2024
CONTACT PERSON: On Duty PIO
CASE NUMBER: 24-14037
Gresham, Ore.— The person who hit a man on the head with a skateboard in Gresham on Sunday evening has turned himself in to police.
Patrol officers responded to a report that a person had been assaulted in the area of NE Second St. and NE Roberts Ave., on Sunday. Yesterday, investigators released a photo of the suspect, asking for the public’s help with identifying him. At approximately 6:30 p.m. last night, a 15-year-old came to the Gresham Police Department, with his parents, to turn himself in. He was lodged at the Donald E. Long home on suspicion of Assault in the Second Degree.
Detectives are still looking to identify and speak with others involved. Anyone with information that has not spoken to police is asked to call the Gresham Police Tip-Line at 503-618-2719.
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RELEASE DATE: April 9, 2024
CONTACT PERSON: On Duty PIO
CASE NUMBER: 24-14037
Gresham, Ore.— Gresham Police is investigating an assault that occurred over the weekend.
Patrol officers responded to a report that a person had been assaulted in the area of NE Second St. and NE Roberts Ave., at approximately 5:30 p.m., on Sunday. Officers arrived and interviewed witnesses and began collecting surveillance video. Officers learned the victim had been struck over the head with a skateboard and called for medical personnel to provide care for him. The victim, a 58-year-old man from Gresham, was transported to an area hospital for treatment with non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators are releasing a photo of the primary suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance with identifying him. Anyone with information that has not already spoken to the police is asked to call the Gresham Police Tip-Line at 503-618-2719.
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On Tuesday, March 26, Gresham Police responded to a report of a shooting at a house in the 600 block of SW Linneman court. Police arrived and discovered that 46-year-old Joshua Heinrich was deceased from a gunshot. A subject was detained for questioning at that time.
During the investigation, detectives learned that the detained person was Mr. Heinrich’s son, 19-year-old Myles Menafee, and that he was involved in the incident. He was arrested and charged with Murder in the second degree, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
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Gresham, Ore.— After a three-week trial, a Multnomah County judge found Robert Plympton guilty of the murder of Barbara Tucker, bringing to a close a 44-year investigation.
The case began in January 1980, when Barbra Tucker’s body was found in a wooded area near Mt. Hood Community College. Several witnesses reported seeing a young woman waving at traffic on NE Kane Dr., before a man emerged from some nearby bushes and led her back towards campus. Investigators determined Ms. Tucker had been sexually assaulted and beaten to death.
In 2000, the Oregon State Police Crime Lab was able to develop a DNA profile from swabs collected during Ms. Tucker’s autopsy. The DNA profile was compared to DNA databases available at the time, but the search did not produce any matches.
The case remained open and was assigned to several detectives over the decades, before being assigned to Detective Aaron Turnage in 2015. Criminalist Deanna Grossi continued reviewing the physical evidence and researching advances in forensic investigative techniques.
The DNA profile was sent to Parabon NanoLabs for genetic genealogy testing. In 2021, that testing showed a likely connection to Robert Plympton. With this new lead, Gresham detectives surveilled Plympton and saw him spit out a piece of gum. The gum was collected for DNA testing, which confirmed Plympton’s DNA was a match to the DNA from Ms. Tucker’s body.
On June 8, 2021, Robert Plympton was arrested and charged with the murder of Barbara Tucker. Plympton requested a trial in front of a judge rather than a jury. The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Kirsten Snowden and Senior Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. The trial began in late February and continued into mid-March. On March 15, 2024, Judge Baggio found Plympton guilty of Murder in the First Degree and four counts of Murder in the Second Degree.
“Barbara’s murder was shocking, and the pain, grief, and loss were felt for generations. I hope the conviction of Mr. Plympton can bring some closure and peace to her family and friends, and to the Gresham community,” said Chief Travis Gullberg. “I also want to acknowledge the challenges investigators faced along the way. This case was impacted not just by the passage of time, but by budget constraints and staffing shortages. Our detectives and criminalists showed incredible determination and resourcefulness solving Barbara’s murder while still investigating new cases. Though this case is closing, our mission continues: seeking justice in other unsolved homicides.”
From 2002 to 2004, an average of 19 officers were assigned to the Investigations Division. At that time, the city averaged two homicides per year. Today, there are 20 officers assigned to the Investigations Division. Over the past three years, Gresham has averaged over 10 homicides per year. “The Department’s resources no longer match the needs of the community,” added Chief Gullberg.
If you have information about any unsolved homicide, you can contact an investigator through the Gresham Police Department tip line at 503-618-2719 or toll-free at 1-888-989-3505.