FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 29, 2023
Traffic collision involving bicyclist results in fatality
Salem, Ore. — At approximately 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, Salem Police patrol officers responded to the scene of a traffic collision involving a bicyclist and the driver of a pick-up truck at the intersection of Leslie and High STS SE.
The preliminary investigation by the Salem Police Traffic Team revealed the bicyclist was riding southbound on High ST approaching Leslie ST when the driver of the truck traveling eastbound on Leslie ST entered the intersection and crossed the bicyclist’s path of travel, resulting in a collision.
The bicyclist, 53-year-old Marganne Allen, suffered critical injuries and was transported to Salem Health where she later died.
The driver of the pick-up truck, Samuel Landis, age 37, was not injured. He remained on the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
The intersection remained closed for approximately four hours as the incident was investigated, and the scene cleared.
No citations have been issued or arrest made as the Traffic Team investigation into the collision continues. No further information is available for release.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 28, 2023
Two arrested for retail theft
Salem, Ore. — Salem Police patrol officers acted quickly yesterday, March 27, and arrested two women involved in a retail theft incident at the Willamette Town Center mall complex.
On Monday afternoon at approximately 12:15 p.m., officers responded to the Ulta Beauty Store at 831 Lancaster DR NE on the report of a woman who entered the store with a shopping bag and filled it with an estimated $5,000 of merchandise, then left the store without paying.
The woman fled the scene in a vehicle driven by another woman. Using witness information on the description of the suspects and the vehicle, patrol officers were able to locate the two female suspects inside the vehicle in the parking lot of the Target Stores across from the mall. A search warrant to search the vehicle was obtained, allowing officers to search its contents. Officers subsequently located the merchandise stolen from the store, as well as documentation of organized theft, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun.
The two women identified as Amber Dawn Alvarado, age 37, and Taylor Paige Hunt, age 29, were lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges of theft in the first degree.
Alvarado faces an additional charge of felon in possession of a weapon, a firearm, and remains in custody, awaiting arraignment today at the Marion County Criminal Court Annex.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 8, 2023
Salem Police joins national effort to advance women in policing
Salem, Ore. — The Salem Police Department is pleased to announce the agency’s official participation on the national initiative, known as The 30x30 Pledge, to bring more women into policing to improve public safety, community outcomes, and trust in law enforcement.
The ultimate goal of the 30x30 initiative is to reach 30 percent of women in police recruit classes by 2030, and to ensure policing agencies are truly representative of the community we serve. While 30x30 is focused on advancing women in policing, these principles are applicable to all demographic diversity, not just gender.
Currently, the Salem Police Department has 26 women within its police ranks, comprising 15% of the force. In the U.S., women make up only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership. Next week, the department is holding a swearing-in ceremony for six new recruit officers, adding one more female officer to the representation of women within the agency’s ranks.
“The Salem Police Department is honored to join other agencies, in our state and across the country, in this critical commitment. We look forward to working with and learning from agencies across the nation that share this priority,” shared Police Chief Trevor Womack.
Although our commitment to recruiting and retaining a qualified and diverse workforce is longstanding, we’re excited to leverage resources and expertise through the 30x30 initiative to implement recruiting and hiring practices which are efficient, equitable, legal, and aligned with recognized best practice.”
Visit www.30x30initiative.org to learn more about The Pledge coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 6, 2023
Two arrested after dispute leads to chase, gunfire, intentional collision
Salem, Ore. — Salem Police officers made two arrests yesterday, March 5, in a dispute between two individuals which resulted in a car chase, gunfire, and ended in an intentional collision.
At 4:45 p.m. Sunday afternoon, patrol officers were called to a business complex in the 1900 block of Lancaster DR NE. Witnesses reported gunfire and the driver of a van ramming into another vehicle in the parking lot. The driver of the van ran from the scene. Witness descriptions for each of the men involved in the incident helped officers locate them.
Officers were able to determine, a dispute between the two men occurred minutes earlier at Holland’s Bar in the 2100 block of Silverton RD NE. One man, identified as Javier Arturo Juarez, age 39, left the establishment in his car after an employee intervened in the verbal altercation occurring. The second man, identified as Daniel Luis Garcia, left the location afterward driving a van. Garcia pursued Juarez, who was driving southbound on Lancaster DR. When Juarez drove his car into the business complex parking lot, it was then that witnesses reported Garcia ramming Juarez’s vehicle. Juarez fired a handgun at the van as Garcia continued to drive his van forward into Juarez’ sedan.
Juarez, a convicted criminal, was arrested without incident at the scene on the following charges:
- Felon in possession of a weapon, firearm
The 33-year-old Garcia was located in the parking lot of the Fred Meyer grocery store in the 3700 block of Market ST NE, just south of the crash location. He was also arrested without incident. Garcia is lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:
- Attempted assault in the second degree
- Reckless driving
Garcia also had two outstanding warrants.
Arraignment proceedings for Juarez and Garcia occur today at the Marion County Criminal Court Annex, and therefore, no other information is available for release.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: March 1, 2023
Teen with gun arrested after threat to high school campus
Salem, Ore. — Salem Police officers responded to South Salem High School today just before noon on the report of a threat against the campus.
A social media user called police to report a student who sent a video message to them through the platform. The caller was concerned because the video showed the student claiming to be at the high school with a gun. Working with Salem-Keizer Public Schools staff, officers were able to identify and locate the student, age 17.
As officers approached, the student fled from the school. He was subsequently apprehended without incident at a vehicle. The teen was found in possession of a knife. Detectives responded to the scene and a warrant to search the vehicle, and a backpack the juvenile carried, was attained which allowed officers to search the contents of each. A loaded firearm was located.
“Our patrol officers did a great job today, swiftly acting against and abating a threat before any tragedy could possibly occur,” said Deputy Chief Jake Burke. “We’d also like to thank Salem-Keizer Schools staff who greatly assisted us with the situation.”
The Salem Police Department does not identify minors involved in criminal investigations. The juvenile was lodged at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges:
- Possession of a weapon in a public building, two counts
- Illegal possession of a weapon, firearm
- Carrying a concealed weapon, knife
The case remains under investigation, and as such, no further information is being released.
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