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@WCSOOregon
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, at approximately 5:20 p.m., an incident occurred near the Jacob Wismer Elementary and Stoller Middle School complex in Bethany. A male student, who is not enrolled in the Beaverton School District, was approached by an unidentified male while walking home from spending time with friends at Jacob Wismer.
The suspect, who was near the bus pick-up lanes at Stoller Middle School, falsely claimed to be a friend of the student's mother and stated he was there to pick the student up. The student did not recognize the individual and wisely ran from the area, safely reaching home shortly after.
The student described the suspect as a large male in his 70s with a white beard two to three inches in length. The suspect was wearing large Pit Viper-style sunglasses, a T-shirt, and a hat with the American flag. The student believes that the man was driving a silver Mercedes SUV.
Deputies are working closely with Beaverton School District Public Safety officers to review surveillance footage and further investigate the incident. We urge the community to be vigilant and report any information related to this suspect to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 503-629-0111.
Safety Recommendations for Students:
- Stay Alert: Avoid distractions from cell phones and maintain awareness of surroundings.
- Limit Headphone Use: Ensure you can hear external sounds when wearing headphones, especially in public areas.
- Walk-in Groups: There is safety in numbers. Try to walk with friends whenever possible.
- Regular Check-ins: Always inform a family member or friend of your departure and arrival when moving about.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Immediately notify an adult or school staff member about any unusual or suspicious behavior.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Beaverton School District are committed to the safety of all students and community members. We thank you for taking these precautions seriously and helping to maintain a safe environment for our children.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is excited to announce its upcoming Career Open House on April 13, 2024. This event offers a unique opportunity for individuals interested in a rewarding career in law enforcement to learn more about the various positions available at the WCSO.
The WCSO Career Open House will provide attendees with valuable information about the recruitment process, the diverse roles within the Sheriff's Office, and the wide range of benefits and career advancement opportunities offered to WCSO employees.
Date:
April 13, 2024
Time:
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location:
Washington County Sheriff's Office - Public Safety Training Center
600 SW Walnut St,
Hillsboro, OR 97123
During the event, attendees will have the chance to interact with WCSO staff from different divisions, including Patrol, Investigations, and Corrections. They will also have the opportunity to ask questions and gain insights into the daily responsibilities and qualifications required for each role.
"This Career Open House presents a wonderful opportunity for individuals who are passionate about serving their community and looking for a fulfilling career in law enforcement," said Sheriff Caprice Massey. "We encourage anyone interested in joining the WCSO to attend this event and learn more about the opportunities available to make a positive impact in Washington County."
Those attending the Career Open House will also have the chance to learn about the comprehensive training programs offered by the WCSO to ensure the development of competent and skilled law enforcement professionals.
For more information and to RSVP for the WCSO Career Open House, please visit the official event website at joinwcso.com. Interested individuals can also follow updates and engage with others attending the event on the WCSO Career Open House Facebook event page at https://bit.ly/WCSO_2023_OpenHouse
Note to editors:
For media inquiries or to request an interview with a representative from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, please contact Deputy David Huey at 503 209-5613 or WCSOPIO@washingtoncountyor.gov. We would like to extend an invitation to members of the media to arrange a visit to the Washington County Sheriff's Office Public Safety Training Center during the Career Open House. This will give you an opportunity to take a closer look at our training facilities and the open house event.
On April 4, 2024, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office conducted a child predator sting where investigators used multiple dating applications, social media sites, and other online platforms to pose as underage boys and girls. The people contacted the profiles online and offered to meet a person they believed to be a child for sex. When individuals arrived to meet the child, they were instead contacted by law enforcement and arrested.
During the mission, several individuals immediately terminated their conversations when they realized they were speaking to someone who explicitly provided their specific age and identified as a minor.
The following people were arrested for luring a minor and online sexual corruption of a child in the first degree:
- Matthew P. Goldman, 30, of Tigard
- Jesus Rodriguez-Garcia, 27, of Forest Grove.
- Gerardo Serrano-Garcia, 25, of Hillsboro
- Ruben Olvera-Gaona, 54, of Forest Grove, was also arrested for a warrant out of Washington County for giving false information to a peace officer.
Detectives believe there may be more victims of these individuals. Rodriguez-Garcia made statements while chatting with the decoy that he had engaged in sexual contact with other minors. Anyone with additional information about any of the people is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 503-846-2700.
The Sheriff’s Office regularly conducts undercover operations, both full-scale stings and day-to-day chats, targeting child predators. The Sheriff’s Office receives thousands of child abuse reports each year, and these proactive missions are designed to identify and contact people before they victimize an actual child.
Parents are encouraged to help their children be safe online and to be aware of the websites and mobile applications their kids are using. The Sheriff’s Office provides online safety education for parents and community organizations upon request.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Cornelius Police Department and the Lake Oswego Police Department for assisting with the sting.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is issuing a warning to community members about a recent nationwide scam that has resurfaced in our community. WCSO has received several reports of individuals selling fake jewelry and watches on the highways and on ramps in Washington County over the past two weeks.
Reports have indicated that the suspects involved in this scam drive higher-end rental vehicles and flag down drivers on the side of the freeways or ramps. Once stopped, they typically approach the driver and claim to need money for gas to return home. In exchange for cash, they offer gold jewelry or watches of little value. These encounters often involve aggressive demands for cash. Community members are highly discouraged from stopping and interacting with these individuals.
Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating these incidents. Community members who have fallen victim to this scam are encouraged to report their incidents by calling non-emergency (503) 629-0111 to report the incident to a deputy.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office wants to remind everyone to exercise caution and remain observant when approached by unknown individuals, especially on freeways and ramps. By working together and reporting suspicious activity promptly, we can ensure the safety of our community.
On Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 03:50 a.m., deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office serving the city of Cornelius observed a dark-colored sedan going the wrong way on Pacific Avenue near Filbert Street.
The vehicle matched the description of one involved in an earlier incident with Forest Grove Police, where individuals were reported attempting to enter vehicles on the 900 block of 37th Avenue.
After locating the sedan, a deputy moved to the right on the side of the road and activated the patrol car’s overhead lights. The driver then accelerated past the deputy and subsequently collided with a median near 2836 Pacific Avenue. The collision caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the vehicle spinning out and coming to a halt near Maple Street.
As more deputies arrived, they confirmed the vehicle had been stolen in Forest Grove moments prior. Deputies searched the area but could not locate the car’s occupants, who had fled.
While Forest Grove officers investigated the crash scene, deputies searched the surrounding area. They located a stolen 2019 Lexus RX sport utility vehicle occupied by two subjects who appeared to be asleep inside.
Deputies pinned the Lexus in with patrol cars to prevent the Lexus from being driven away and, after a brief standoff, safely detained both occupants: a 17-year-old driver and the 15-year-old passenger, both from Portland. They were subsequently handed over to the Forest Grove Police Department and are now held at the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Home.
A loaded Glock handgun and various items belonging to yet-unidentified victims were recovered from the Lexus.
The Forest Grove Police Department is leading the investigation into this incident. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact them directly at 503-992-3260.