FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: May 14, 2026 

Salem Police Make Arrest in Connection with Multiple Theft Incidents 

SALEM, Ore. — On May 12, 2026, officers arrested Sara Maria Guzman-Staff, 39, of Salem, in connection with a series of theft incidents that occurred at various locations from December 2025 to May 2026. 

Guzman-Staff had been identified as the suspect in four shoplifting incidents. All theft cases were initiated by the Telephone Reporting Office, which receives and reviews reports submitted through the department’s online reporting system. Telephone Reporting Specialists were able to connect the cases through reviewing evidence submitted by the retailers. 

Telephone Reporting Specialists identified Guzman-Staff as a person of interest and coordinated the case information with officers, where it was assigned for follow-up. After further investigation, officers were able to confirm Guzman-Staff was the suspect. 

On May 12, officers spotted a vehicle driven by Guzman-Staff and stopped the vehicle. During the stop, she was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. 

Guzman-Staff was arrested for the four theft cases and the possession of methamphetamine and was lodged at Marion County Jail for multiple charges including Theft in the First Degree and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. 

The Salem Police Department would like to recognize the efforts and coordination between the Telephone Reporting Office and patrol officers in making this arrest and interrupting the cycle of thefts. We also want to encourage our community to report criminal activity, as your report may be the one that connects several cases together. Many non-emergency crimes can be reported online by visiting this link: salempd.info/online-reports. 

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney's Office.  

### 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: May 7, 2026 

Strategic Investigations Unit Makes Arrest and Seizes 15 Pounds of Illegal Drugs 

SALEM, Ore. -- On May 6, 2026, Edward Garza, 59, of Salem, was arrested and approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine was seized in connection with a drug offense following a narcotics investigation conducted by the Strategic Investigations Unit. 

As part of an ongoing investigation, at approximately 5:00 p.m., detectives, assisted by an Oregon State Police narcotics detection canine, came into contact with Garza in the parking lot of Fred Meyer located at 3450 Commercial Street SE. A judicial search warrant was obtained for the vehicle, and the methamphetamine was located in the trunk. 

Garza was transported to Marion County Jail and lodged on charges of Delivery of Controlled Substances-Methamphetamine. 

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: May 4, 2026 
CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net 

Salem Police Arrest Suspect and Seize Firearms in Felon-in-Possession Case 

SALEM, Ore. — On May 1, 2026, at approximately 11:25 p.m., officers arrested Wyatt Tripp, 40, of Salem, following an investigation into a report of a Felon in Possession of a Weapon. 

Turner Police Department had sent an attempt to locate (ATL) for Tripp after developing probable cause for the charge. He was last seen in a blue Ford Ranger. During a previous incident at Turner Lake, Tripp displayed a vintage bolt-action rifle to individuals. 

Salem officers located Tripp’s truck parked at the northeast parking lot of Salem’s Riverfront Park, where he was found inside the vehicle. As officers were responding, a UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) was deployed, which observed Tripp shining a light at the drone and moving his truck to the southern parking lot. 

Utilizing a patrol vehicle, officers boxed in Tripp and he was taken into custody. Tripp was found wearing a tactical vest with additional rifle magazines, and an additional rifle was observed resting on the bench seat of the truck. 

Officers applied for and were granted a judicial warrant and located a fully loaded large caliber AR style rifle, along with 19.2 grams of methamphetamine and a 9mm pistol. 

Tripp was lodged at Marion County Jail on multiple charges including Felon in Possession of a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. 

Mr. Tripp is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30pm today at the Marion County Court Annex, 4000 Aumsville Hwy SE. The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

                                                                                                                                                                                           # # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: May 3, 2026 

Follow Up: Woodburn Officer Involved in Use of Deadly Force Incident After 911 Call 

Officer Ryan contacted Israel Hernandez-Martinez (37) in the roadway. As Officer Ryan made contact, Hernandez-Martinez was in possession of multiple tire irons (see pictures attached). A confrontation ensued, and Officer Ryan deployed his firearm, striking Hernandez-Martinez. Multiple Woodburn officers responded and attempted to render medical aid; however, Hernandez-Martinez was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Pursuant to Marion County’s Officer Use of Deadly Force Protocol (“SB 111 Protocol”), a non-involved, outside agency was asked to conduct the investigation regarding the incident. The Salem Police Department is leading the investigation, assisted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police. 

No further information will be released at this time pending a grand jury’s objective review of the encounter. In Marion County, a grand jury reviews each officer use of deadly force incident. Any future release will be by the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. 

Any questions about this incident can be directed to Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy. 

(PHOTO INCLUDED BELOW)  

### 

As of this date, the Salem Police Bomb Squad has responded to 28 incidents, activities, and investigations in 2026. Many of these incidents involved suspicious packages or devices, bomb threats, post-blast investigations, military ordnance, or verified/suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs). 

For further inquiries, please contact the Salem Police Communications Office. 

                                                                                                                    # # #