Sheriff Kast with National Guardsman

On Thursday, February 11th, 2021, a historic ice storm arrived in the Willamette Valley leaving over 90,000 residents in Marion County without power.  As concerned family members and friends began calling in about medically vulnerable loved ones without power,  Search and Rescue deputies and volunteers assisted with staffing call center phone lines,  coordinating welfare checks, and assisting with road closures. 

On February 19th Marion County was contacted by officials from the State of Oregon offering additional support from the Oregon Army National Guard to proactively assist with welfare checks in the community.  Using information provided by Marion County Emergency Management and utility companies, Search and Rescue coordinators identified rural areas of Marion County to focus their efforts on due to projections the residents could be without power for several more days. 

Beginning on February 22nd, 2021, Deputies and 16 service members from the 1186th Military Police Company could be seen in various areas around Marion County as they conducted welfare checks on residents.  Over the course of four days, February 22nd – 25th, welfare checks were conducted at over 640 residences where teams helped distribute water, blankets, batteries, and other items to community members. 

When asked about the four day joint operation, Deputy Sofia Contenta commented, “While out checking on people around Marion County it was great being able to work with many of the same people who were activated to help during the Beachie Fire.” 

This afternoon, February 25th, Sheriff Joe Kast visited with National Guard members and presented each of them with a Sheriffs’ Office patch as a sign of gratitude for their efforts.  When asked about the collaborative effort, Sheriff Kast said, “Over the last year we have experienced a number of unprecedented events around Marion County.  Each time we are presented with a new challenge, we’ve seen partners come forward and work together to help our community in their time of need.”

As the joint effort with the Oregon Army National Guard concludes, many resources within the community will remain available.  For an up to date list of current resources please visit www.co.marion.or.us/alerts.

Richard Woods

This afternoon, February 22nd, 2021, at approximately 1:22 p.m. a neighbor called 911 after seeing a possible burglar going into a nearby home.  As deputies were responding to the 4800 block of Oak Park Dr NE, in the unincorporated area of northeast Salem, the homeowner also called in saying they could see someone inside their home on their surveillance camera.  The homeowner checked their cameras after being alerted by a neighbor about seeing someone who didn’t appear to belong.

The first deputies arrived at the scene within 3-4 minutes of the original 911 call.  Once additional deputies arrived, they began loud hailing in front of the residence calling for the person inside to come out.  Approximately 15 minutes later, a male came out of the residence and surrendered to deputies without incident.

The patrol supervisor at the scene, Sgt. Tom Crofts, complimented neighbors for their willingness to work together.  “The home owners were fortunate to have neighbors who were alert and helping look out for one another.  This was a great example of people paying attention to activity in their neighborhood and talking to each other when something doesn’t look right.” 

The suspect, Richard Woods, 65, of Salem was taken to Marion County Jail where he was charged with Burglary in the First Degree and Theft in the Second Degree.  Additionally, Woods had outstanding warrants for his arrest for a Failure to Appear in Salem Municipal Court and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

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Earlier today the Marion County Sheriff’s Office provided preliminary details about a serious injury crash involving a cyclist who was struck by a vehicle on Lancaster Drive SE on Sunday evening, February 21st, 2021.  Following the crash, the cyclist was taken to an area hospital with critical injuries.  The cyclist has since succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased late Monday morning.

 The cyclist has been identified as Blake Saville, 25, of Salem.  The involved driver in the crash, Anthony Mankins, 29, of Salem was uninjured. 

The crash remains under investigation; no further information is available for release at this time.

*****Orginal Media Release from 2/22/21 @ 9:02 a.m.*****

At approximately 8:17 p.m. on Sunday, February 21, 2021, Willamette Valley Communications Center received a 911 call from a driver reporting they struck a cyclist in the 300 block of Lancaster Drive SE.  When first responders arrived at the scene they located a 25-year-old male cyclist who had sustained life-threatening injuries.  The male was taken to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition.  The driver was not injured in the crash and remained at the scene. 

Investigators from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Crash Team were called out to investigate.  Based upon initial information, investigators believe the driver was traveling northbound on Lancaster Drive when the cyclist was struck while crossing the roadway.  Neither driver impairment nor speed appears to have been contributing factors to the collision.  Lancaster Drive SE was closed to traffic for several hours during the investigation.

Deputies are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact Dep. Michael Frieze at ieze@co.marion.or.us">mfrieze@co.marion.or.us or to call our non-emergency dispatch at 503-588-5032.

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Marion County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following information pursuant to ORS 163A.215, which authorizes Community Corrections to inform the public when the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.

The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, this person’s criminal history places them in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

NAME: Finegan, Patrick SID#: 22406607

DOB: 12/18/1997 CURRENT AGE: 23

RACE: White SEX: Male

HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 155 lbs

HAIR: Brown EYES: Brown

RESIDENCE: 245 Holder LN SE, Salem, OR 97306

Patrick Finegan is on Felony Probation and Post Prison Supervision for the crimes of: Attempted Use of a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct, Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, Attempted Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree.

Finegan’s victim pool includes minor females age 12-16 that were known him. This person was granted supervision on: 1/08/2021

Supervision expiration date is: 3/07/2023

Special restrictions include:

NO CONTACT WITH MINORS

NO FREQUENTING PLACES MINORS CONGREGRATE

NO USE OR POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

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Yesterday morning, February 2nd, 2021, detectives from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 26-year-old Salem man for encouraging child sexual abuse following a 3-month investigation. The investigation started after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children were alerted to images of suspected child sexual abuse material being shared online and notified local authorities.  In coordination with the regional Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce, investigators were able to identify a suspect in the Salem area.

Early Tuesday morning detectives from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit served a search warrant at an apartment on Stafford Lane NE in the Four Corners area of East Salem.   Refugio Cruz-Juarez, 26, of Salem was arrested at the apartment and taken to Marion County Jail where he was charged with the crimes of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree and Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree. 

Cruz-Juarez is set to be arraigned at 2:30 p.m. today, February 3rd, at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex.

If you discover what you believe to be suspected child sexual abuse materials online please submit a tip to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at https://report.cybertip.org.

On February 1st, 2021, at 10:46 a.m., a caller reported finding two people not breathing inside of a fifth wheel trailer at a property in the 5700 block of State Street, east of Salem.  The caller said they went to the location after not hearing from the people since Saturday.  When deputies and crews from Marion County Fire District #1 arrived at the scene, both people inside of the trailer were pronounced deceased.

Due to the suspicious nature of the deaths, detectives from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit were called to the scene.  Detectives believe the two deaths were the result of carbon monoxide poisoning from a propane heater being used inside the trailer.  Two animals, a dog and a cat, were also found dead inside.

The victims have been identified as Richard Yaple, a 50-year-old Salem man, and his daughter Hannah Yaple, a 17-year-old female from Keizer.

According to the CDC, each year in the United States there are at least 430 accidental deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning.  To help prevent these tragedies from occurring, we want to share some helpful safety tips:

• Choose a propane heater that’s the right size for your room or space, and carries the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label.
• Your indoor propane heater should have features such as a low oxygen sensor, high-temperature coated safety guard on the front, overheat protection and automatic shut-off if it tips over.
• Carefully read manufacturer’s instructions before using your propane indoor space heater.
• Make sure your propane indoor space heater is installed on a non-combustible surface away from where people walk and that it is positioned safely away from combustible materials such as furniture, curtains, doors, bedding and towels. If you use a wall-mounted room heater, make sure your wall material is non-combustible.
• Never place anything on top of an indoor propane space heater.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, or the space where you use your indoor propane space heater.
• Never leave an indoor propane heater unattended. Turn the heater off when you leave the room. And make sure your propane indoor space heater is turned off before you go to bed.
• If your propane indoor heater has a yellow or orange flame instead of a blue one, stop using it immediately because it is not burning properly. 
• Use your vacuum cleaner’s hose attachment to carefully vacuum up any dust on the outside of the propane indoor space heater and on the grills.
• Never spray air fresheners, deodorants, aerosol spray cleaners or hair spray near an indoor propane space heater.
• Have your vented propane indoor space heater inspected annually.
• Make sure pathways to all of a space’s exits are clear when you’re using your indoor propane space heater.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office was assisted during this response by Marion County Fire District #1, Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office, Marion County District Attorney’s Office, Marion County Dog Control, and Marion County Public Works.