On June , 2018, at 11:30pm, the Newport Police Department responded to the 3500 Block of SW Coast Hwy on a report of a subject brandishing a firearm.
A Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to assist and observed the suspect beginning to leave the area in a vehicle. A high risk traffic stop was conducted in the 3700 block of SW Coast Hwy, where officers located a semi-auto .45 handgun in the dash of the vehicle.
The Suspect was detained without further incident, and identified as Matthew Wedler, 32, of Corvallis, Oregon.
The investigation revealed Wedler got into a verbal dispute with another person. During the dispute Wedler entered his vehicle, retrieved a .45 caliber handgun and threatened several subjects in the area with the firearm. An associate of Wedler restrained him while the victims fled the area.
Wedler was arrested at the scene and lodged in the Lincoln County Jail for the following charges;
Matthew James Wedler, 32
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon – 2 Counts
- Menacing – 2 Counts
** Update **
On May 30, 2018, the Newport Police Department submitted a request to the public to help identify the person responsible for the armed kidnapping that occurred at a Newport area motel on May 26. Investigators received many tips regarding the identity of the suspect. One tip led investigators to Corvallis resident Cedar A. Haddad, 19 years of age. Newport Police Investigators, assisted by investigators from Lincoln City Police, Toledo Police, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, worked with the Corvallis Police Department, Oregon State Police and OSU Public Safety and located Haddad’s residence and his vehicle in Corvallis.
Investigators located Haddad near his residence and he was taken into custody without incident. Investigators obtained a search warrant to identify evidence related to the May 26 kidnapping. Investigators located evidence, which linked Haddad to the armed kidnapping. Haddad was transported to the Lincoln County Jail, where he was booked on charges of Kidnapping I, Kidnapping II and Menacing.
On May 26, 2018, Haddad entered a Newport area motel at 2:57 a.m. Haddad was seen on video pulling a handgun from his coat pocket and pointing it at the female worker. He took the victim to his car, where he handcuffed her and put her in the back seat. Haddad drove the victim to various locations in and around the Newport area. Haddad made several brief stops, but never took the victim out of the car. After being held for over 1 ½ hours, Haddad removed the handcuffs from the victim and let her out of the car in a residential neighborhood in south Newport.
The victim was able to flag down a Newport Officer and reported the incident.
At this time, the location of the kidnapping and video surveillance of the incident is not being released.
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On May 26, 2018 at approximately 2:57 a.m., an employee at a Newport area hotel was kidnapped at gunpoint by an unknown male. The victim was handcuffed and forced into the suspect’s car. The suspect then drove to various locations around the Newport area. After being held for over 1 ½ hours, the victim was released unharmed about one mile from where she was taken.
The victim was able to flag down a Newport Officer and reported the incident. Nearby surveillance cameras captured the suspect and suspect vehicle on video. The suspect is described as a white male adult, mid to late 20’s with brown hair. He was approximately 5’10” and had a thin build. He had no accent or distinguishing features. He was driving a light colored (possibly silver/gray) 4-door hatchback. The vehicle was very clean inside and had a manual transmission. Investigators are working to identify the suspect and suspect vehicle. Investigators are seeking help in identifying the suspect or vehicle.
If anyone has information related to this investigation, you are encouraged to contact the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348, Newport Police tip line at 541-574-5455, or Newport Police text-a-tip at 541-270-1856.
** Update **
The investigation into the stabbing of a six year old boy by his mother, Nemoria Villagomez, continues. Investigators learned that the six year old victim is in good condition and expected to be released from the hospital soon. Villagomez' 14 month old son was seen by medical staff on May 26 and released to the custody of DHS. No significant injuries were reported.
Villagomez was arraigned in Lincoln County Circuit Court today for charges related to stabbing her six year old son.
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On May 26, 2018, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Newport Police Officers were dispatched to a disturbance at the Agate Height Apartments located on NE 60th St. Initial information reported was that a six year old boy had ran to a neighbor’s apartment and told them his mother stabbed him. It was reported that the juvenile had a visible stab wound and was covered in blood. The neighbor called police and began rendering aid to the child.
Responding Officers located the juvenile victim in the neighbor’s apartment and confirmed that he was suffering from multiple stab wounds. Officers secured the scene and paramedics continued rendering aid to the child.
Officers identified the mother of the child as Nemoria Villagomez, age 34, of Newport. Officers also learned that Villagomez had another small child in the apartment with her.
Officers went to Villagomez’ apartment and attempted contact with her. After receiving no response, officers entered the apartment to check the welfare of Villagomez and her child. Officers located a large amount of blood in the apartment living room. Officers searched the apartment and located Villagomez and a small child in a bedroom.
Villagomez was detained without incident, and her child was transferred to the care of paramedics. Villagomez was transported to the Newport Police Department for questioning.
Villagomez’ six-year-old son was transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital and later air transported to a Portland area hospital due to life threatening injuries. Her fourteen-month-old child was examined at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport and placed in the custody of DHS.
Villagomez was arrested and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on the following charges:
Aggravated Attempted Murder, Attempted Murder, Assault I, Assault II, Assault III, and Criminal Mistreatment I
Villagomez’ bail was set at $1,100,000. The case remains under investigation.