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WINSTON, Ore. - On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 12:37 PM, 911 dispatchers received a report of a two vehicle crash in the 1300-block of Willis Creek Road near Winston.
Deputies arrived on scene and discovered a 1994 Chevrolet pickup and a 2012 Dodge 3500 pickup which were involved in a head-on collision. An investigation indicates the Chevrolet pickup, operated by 58 year-old Richard Dean Chastain of Winston, was traveling southbound when the vehicle drifted into the oncoming path of the Dodge for an unknown reason. The Dodge was operated by 28 year-old Steven Snawder of Roseburg.
Snawder was transported to Mercy Medical Center for treatment and was later released. Chastain and his two dogs were pronounced deceased at the scene. Next of kin has been notified.
The crash is still under investigation, however intoxicants do not appear to be a contributing factor. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call 541-440-4471 referencing case number 19-5249.
ROSEBURG, Ore. - On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at approximately 11:30 AM, a deputy searching for Sean and Madison Moss located vehicle debris indicative of a vehicle crash along the riverbank of the main Umpqua River in the 11500-block of Garden Valley Road. This area is commonly referred to as Crow Rapids.
Additional resources were dispatched, including the Sheriff's Office dive team. At approximately 2:00 PM, divers located a vehicle approximately 12 feet under the water in a narrow canal.
Despite efforts, attempts to recover the vehicle proved difficult due to the terrain of the riverbed and surrounding landscape and had to be canceled as the sun set.
On Thursday, November 14, 2019, at 7:30 AM, efforts resumed and at approximately 10:00, the vehicle was recovered to the shore. The vehicle was confirmed to be the 2002 Chevy Trailblazer registered to Sean Moss. The bodies of both 29 year-old Sean Moss and 2 year-old Madison Moss were located in the vehicle.
The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office is conducting a death investigation at this time. The cause of the crash is also under investigation. Next of kin has been notified.
The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Search and Rescue, Oregon State Police, Douglas County Fire District #2, Kokua Towing and Puddle Jumper Towing.
Sean and Madison were reported missing to the Sheriff's Office on Monday, August 12 at 10:18 am. They had been last seen by Moss' co-worker on the evening of Friday, August 9th. Family members were expecting Sean and Madison to attend the Douglas County Fair on August 10th, but they did not arrive.
ROSEBURG, Ore. - On Sunday, November 3, 2019, at 3:53 pm, 911 dispatchers received a call of a five year-old child who had been left at River Forks Park. Deputies responded and learned the father had been trying to give away another child, a 10 month-old infant, which was in his vehicle before leaving with the infant and abandoning the five year-old in the park.
Several law enforcement units from various agencies as well as Search and Rescue were dispatched to assist in locating the suspect vehicle and infant. An initial responding deputy safely recovered the five year-old at the park. Detectives were called out and the Amber Alert plan was being activated.
As the incident progressed, at approximately 6:21 pm, the suspect and the infant were located at a residence in the 1200-block of NW Hicks Street in Roseburg. The male was identified as 30 year-old Bryant Noe Garcia of Roseburg.
Garcia was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on charges of Child Abandonment, a Class C Felony and Child Neglect II, a Class A Misdemeanor.
The children were physically uninjured and safely reunited with their mother.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Douglas County deputies adhere to strict grooming standards, which include limitations on facial hair. For the second consecutive year, Sheriff Hanlin has temporarily relaxed the facial hair standard for the month of November in the name of community service.
During October and November, deputies and staff from all divisions of the Sheriff's Office are participating in a fundraiser to raise money to battle cancer. Last month, staff wore pink ribbons to raise awareness of breast cancer. This month the emphasis will focus on men's health.
Deputies will be allowed to grow a goatee or beard during the month. In lieu of spending money on facial hair grooming supplies, those funds will be placed into an account managed by the Douglas County Law Enforcement Association. At the end of the month, 100% of the money raised will be donated locally to Roseburg's Community Cancer Center.
Beards and goatees must be neatly trimmed and at no time be longer than one inch when extended straight out from the surface of the skin. Personnel will return to the previous policy terms effective December 1st.
If members of the public would like to support the efforts of the staff, donations can be mailed to:
DOUGLAS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATION
ATTENTION: NO-SHAVE NOVEMBER
PO BOX 1591
ROSEBURG, OR 97470
Please indicate “No-Shave” in the memo line of the check.
MYRTLE CREEK, Ore. - Human remains found at the end of September have been identified as those belonging to missing person, Susan Marie Cason.
Cason was initially reported missing to the Roseburg Police Department on September 13, 2019.
On Sunday, September 22, 2019, a man called to report he had located human remains in the 2000-block of Dole Road. Deputies responded along with detectives and the Douglas County Medical Examiner. In conjunction with the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office, the remains were examined at which time positive identification was made and foul-play was ruled out.
Information about the discovery of the remains was initially withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation in the event there was a criminal component. There was never a concern about a risk to the public.
The Sheriff's Office was in communication with Cason's family during the investigation.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - A $1,500 reward is being offered for credible information which directly leads to the arrest of 34 year-old Jason Ryan Taylor.
Taylor is known to law enforcement in both Douglas and Josephine Counties and thus far has avoided apprehension. Taylor travels between the two counties committing crimes and victimizing property owners. Additionally, he currently has active warrants out for his arrest.
Both counties have partnered with the United States Marshal's Service to bring Taylor to justice. A $1,500 reward is now being offered in hopes that anyone with information will step forward.
Those who are harboring or assisting Taylor may also face criminal penalties, including arrest.
Taylor is a white male adult described as 5'09'', 150 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. He is known to alter his appearance to avoid recognition and capture.
All information about Taylor should be routed to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at (541) 440-4471 or by email dcso.pio@co.douglas.or.us. If Taylor is spotted, do not approach him but call police immediately.