About FlashAlert on Twitter:
FlashAlert utilizes the free service Twitter to distribute emergency text messages. While you are welcome to register your cell phone text message address directly into the FlashAlert system, we recommend that you simply "follow" the FlashAlert account for Lane Co. Sheriff's Office by clicking on the link below and logging in to (or creating) your free Twitter account. Twitter sends messages out exceptionally fast thanks to arrangements they have made with the cell phone companies.
Click here to add Lane Co. Sheriff's Office to your Twitter account or create one.
@LaneSheriffOR
*UPDATE*
The person that died in this crash has been identified as 46-year-old Cody Glenn Whitman of Junction City.
-
Today at approximately 12:13pm the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a three-vehicle crash on Clear Lake Rd. just west of Goodman Rd. While enroute, deputies were advised that one of the involved vehicles had caught fire with a person trapped inside. This person was the driver of the vehicle that caught fire and was later determined to be deceased.
The driver of one of the other involved vehicles, a blue/green Pontiac sedan, reportedly fled the scene westbound on foot. He may have been picked up by a white truck. He is described as a white male adult aged in his 50’s to 70’s. He was approximately 6’00 tall and had a black dog with him. He was reportedly wearing khaki pants and an unknown colored hat.
The driver of the third involved vehicle was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The identities of the known drivers are being withheld at this time.
Anyone with information about this case including the identity of the outstanding driver is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 opt. 1.
On May 17, 2023, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an in-progress burglary at a business in the 4000blk of Franklin Blvd. The caller advised they observed a man exit the business through an open window before departing on foot on a nearby bike patch. The caller was able to provide a good description of the suspect and the clothing that he was wearing.
Deputies arrived in the area and located a male matching the suspect description. They contacted the male and were able to determine that he had stolen nearly $500 worth of merchandise including clothing and a knife. He was identified as 33-year-old Jesse Lee Wilcox.
Wilcox was taken into custody and lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of Burglary in the 2nd Degree and Theft in the 2nd Degree.
*UPDATE* - On Saturday, 05/20/23, Woods turned himself into authorities and was taken into custody without incident.
-
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for tips concerning the whereabouts of 57-year-old Darren Lee Woods. Woods is currently pending trial on an assault case that occurred in the Spring of 2021. Woods, whose bail was posted in August of 2022, has failed to comply with his release agreement with the Lane County Circuit Court. Woods failed to keep his ankle monitor charged on or about 05/15/23 and is believed to have since removed it.
Woods is described as a white male adult standing approximately 5’11 and weighing approximately 150lbs. He has gray/brown hair and green eyes.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 opt. 1.
“The results of this election and the renewal of the Lane County Public Safety Levy show that this community remains committed to our safety. I am very thankful that Lane County residents recognize the need for a functional jail system including local jail beds to help hold those accused of violent and dangerous crime accountable. Renewal of this levy will allow the Lane County Jail to continue to operate with a minimum of 255 local jail beds, as well as 8 youth detention beds and 8 youth treatment beds at Lane County Youth Services. Renewal of this levy will maintain the level of service that we currently have. I am optimistic that now we can begin discussing how we can find a permanent solution to the under-resourcing of our entire local public safety system. Thank you again for prioritizing the safety of those that live in Lane County.”
-Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold
This morning shortly prior to 8:00am, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a male that was trespassing in the 83000blk of Williamson Ln. in Dexter. The male was identified by the caller as 27-year-old Taylor Clyde Williams. While enroute, deputies learned that Williams had multiple warrants out for his arrest, including one for a parole violation on an unlawful use of a weapon charge.
A Lane County Sheriff’s deputy observed Williams walking on Hwy. 58. The deputy advised Williams multiple times that he was under arrest, however Williams continued to try and walk away. The deputy waited until backup arrived prior to trying to take Williams into physical custody.
An Oregon State Police trooper arrived at which time they attempted to place Williams into custody. Williams, standing in the middle of Hwy. 58, became physically combative and bit the deputy, causing injury to his finger. Other units were able to respond and eventually get Williams into custody without other serious injury.
Both the deputy and Williams were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Williams will be lodged at the Lane County Jail on his warrants along with new charges including Assault on a Public Safety Officer.
On 05/09/2023 just after 9:00am, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received information about an injured logger in the woods near of Richardson Upriver Rd. outside of Walton. The 32-year-old logger sustained serious injuries to his pelvis, leg and head after being struck by a moving boulder, leaving him stranded down in a canyon nearly 1000ft away from the roadway. A second logger had also been struck by the boulder but sustained less-severe injuries to his lower-leg.
Lane County Sheriff Search and Rescue personnel responded and made their way down to the injured logger by foot. Search and Rescue personnel began preparing to initiate a complex steep-angle rope rescue when the United States Coast Guard was able to arrive in the area with a rescue helicopter. The severely injured patient was able to be hoisted up to the helicopter via the rescue basket. A Lane County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue coordinator was also brought into the helicopter to continue providing emergency medical care during the transport to an area hospital. The second patient was able to walk out on his own with some assistance. Both patients are expected to survive.
LCSO Case #23-2518 – Armed Home Invasion Robbery in the River Road Area
Lane County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating an armed robbery at a residence that occurred in the River Road area this afternoon.
At approximately 1:00pm the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a resident in the 800blk of Willow Ave. stating that they had been struck on the head with a gun by a man claiming to be from the electric company. After assaulting the female victim, the suspect fled with jewelry and an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect also took the victim’s cell phone before departing.
The suspect is described as a white male adult approximately 40-45 years of age. He is believed to stand approximately 6’00” tall and have brown hair and a scruffy beard. Additionally the victim described the suspect as having a large nose that bends slightly downward. The suspect was last seen wearing a lime green hard hat, lime green vest, a face mask, and blue jeans. He was also carrying a clipboard.
The weapon is described as a gray and black handgun, possibly a revolver.
Deputies are asking that residents report any suspicious activity to authorities. Anyone that has information regarding this case is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150opt. 1.
*UPDATE 05/10/2023*
Yesterday afternoon deputies from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received information that some Mapleton Elementary students observed a person wearing dark clothing and possibly armed with a rifle near the school track. The person reportedly departed on foot into a nearby tree line and something that sounded similar to several gunshots was heard from the general direction.
The Mapleton schools were placed on lockdown and multiple law enforcement agencies including the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Florence Police Department, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office realizes that school lockdowns and a large police response to a school causes anxiety and unrest within a community. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the parents, school staff and students for their cooperation and patience in allowing responders to ensure that the reported threat was safely investigated.
A substantial search of the area failed to locate any armed persons or other suspicious conditions. Investigators contacted an area resident who had been conducting residential repairs with a loud nail gun at approximately the same time that the possible gun shots were heard.
It remains unclear if the person spotted by the track was armed with a firearm or carrying another item at the time that they were observed by students.
Investigators believe there to be no threat to the public. Classes at the Mapleton School District have resumed normal operations as of today. As a precaution the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police provided an extra presence in the area today.
-
*UPDATE 6:15PM*
The lockdown at the Mapleton schools has been lifted and there is believed to be no ongoing threat to the public.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public and all partnering agencies for their very prompt and professional response to this incident. The Sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate the original report of an armed subject near the schools.
-
UPDATE 4:35pm
Students from the Mapleton MS-HS and Elementary School are being bussed to the old Banner Bank parking lot located at 10756 Hwy. 126 in Mapleton. Parents are asked to respond to this location to be reunited with children. Even children that would normally walk home will be transported to the Banner Bank location to be reunited with parents.
-
The Mapleton MS-HS and Elementary schools currently remain on lockdown as local law enforcement officers search the area in reports of an armed subject.
All students at both schools are accounted for and safe. Authorities are asking parents not to respond to the schools as we are currently working on a reunification plan. Again, authorities are on scene and there is believed to be no danger to any students.
Shortly prior to 2:30pm students reported seeing a man wearing black and armed with a rifle near the school track. The man possibly went into a tree line and a loud sound, possibly a gunshot was heard shortly thereafter.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Mapleton School District are working closely to provide information as it becomes available.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Bi-Mart stores across Lane County to help boaters prepare for the summer season! “Boating can be one of the greatest ways to experience the outdoors, but certain steps must be taken to always ensure a safe voyage”, says LCSO Marine Patrol Deputy Eric Churchill.
To help you prepare for a safe season, LCSO deputies will be at various Bi-Mart stores on Saturdays and Sundays starting on May 13th. Bring your boat (any kind) to the below listed Bi-Mart locations on the scheduled date/time for a free inspection!
Saturday 5/13/23 ~10am-1pm
Cottage Grove Bi-Mart
100 Gateway Boulevard
Sunday 5/14/23 ~10am-1pm
Florence Bi-Mart
4310 Highway 101
Saturday 05/20/23 ~10am-1pm
River Road Bi-Mart
2030 River Road
Sunday 05/21/23 ~10am-1pm
Junction City Bi-Mart
110 E. 6th Ave.
Saturday 06/03/23 ~10am-1pm
Springfield Bi-Mart
1521 Mohawk Boulevard
Sunday 6/04/23 ~ 10am-1pm
Veneta Bi-Mart
25126 Jeans Road
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of a telephone scam that targets businesses and their employees. The scammers commonly identify themselves to employees over the telephone as managers or owners of the business. The scammers will then attempt to convince the employee to deposit cash from the registers into a 3rd party financial system such as bitcoin machines to pay official business bills. Scams such as this commonly originate from outside of the country and are very difficult to investigate. Please use caution and trust your instincts if you believe you are falling victim to a scam.
In some instances the scammers appear to call from official phone numbers and/or provide fraudulent callback numbers with voicemail inboxes.
*Correction - The involved party is named Travis Christopher Williams
On 5/04/2023 at approximately 1505 hours, deputies were dispatched to a report of a trespasser on McCumber Lane in Springfield. Deputies were advised that the property owner had an aggressive trespasser camping on his property, stealing property, and was in possession of knives.
Deputies located the camp on private property and attempted to contact the occupant of the tent. The occupant, later identified as Travis Christopher Williams, refused to come out of the tent and made threats to cut anyone that approached him.
During the initial contact, deputies attempted to negotiate with Williams through an on-scene crisis negotiator, but he still refused to come out. Multiple times while he was in his tent, he threatened deputies with two large kitchen knives by waving them around outside the door flap.
At one point, Williams exited the tent and rushed towards deputies for a few feet while still holding the knives. Deputies backed away while telling Williams to drop the knives, but Gardner returned to the tent.
A short time later Williams cut a hole in the back of the tent, and he could be seen running away from deputies with the knives still in his hands.
Deputies, with the help of K9 Bruno, immediately began tracking Williams. Deputies tracked Williams for approximately one mile through thick timber, blackberries, downed trees, and steep terrain which would have been nearly impossible without the help of K9 Bruno.
Eventually, deputies spotted Williams running away near a residence on McCumber Lane. Williams was located behind the residence, still armed with the knives, and an axe he had picked up.
A taser was deployed at which time Williams became compliant and deputies were able to place him into handcuffs.
Williams was lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Escape in the Third Degree, Resisting Arrest, Theft in the Second Degree, and an unrelated warrant held by the Eugene Police Department.
Measure 20-340
www.publicsafetylevy.org
Public Information Session for Proposed Lane County Public Safety Levy Renewal
Junction City – 05/09/2023
Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold will be available for questions related to the proposed Lane County Jail Levy Renewal (Measure 20-340) at the Junction City High School tomorrow.
- Tuesday, May 9 at 7:00PM – Junction City High School - Cafeteria (1135 W. 6th Ave., Junction City, OR)
Following a short presentation, the Sheriff will be available to answer questions and speak with community members.
Passage of this measure would not increase the tax rate and renews a current local option tax.
Measure renewal will maintain a minimum of 255 local jail beds for the five-year period, providing the Sheriff with improved ability to hold those arrested for violent felony offenses until their cases are resolved.
Levy renewal would also:
- maintain investment in medical mental health services within the Jail to help those in custody make positive improvements and build life skills in an effort to reduce recidivism
- continue to provide counseling, secure treatment, and detention services for youth offenders
Levy funds are placed in a restricted fund earmarked for the Jail and Youth Services. An annual independent financial audit of levy spending is required and presented publicly.
The estimated tax rate for this levy is $0.55 per $1,000 of assessed value. The median Lane County homeowner is estimated to pay an average of $118 per year for five years.
Additional information sessions will be provided by the Sheriff at different locations throughout the county in the upcoming weeks.
On 05/04/2023 at about 8:23pm deputies from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Peninsula Rd. near Big Fall Creek Rd. A passenger in the vehicle was found to be deceased and the driver had fled on foot. Initial investigation reveals that a silver Nissan Pathfinder left the roadway and struck a utility pole.
Deputies, along with assistance from the Oregon State Police searched for the driver and he was located a short distance away. The driver was also found to have been injured and he was transported to an area hospital.
Intoxication is being investigated as a possible factor in the crash. Additional details will be released as they become available.
*UPDATE* 05/04/2023 – Armed Robbery & Burglary Suspects Taken into Custody in Washington
Daniel Keough and Quinton Ramey were located by police officers in Sumner, Washington early this morning and taken into custody without incident. Taylor Lenihan, who had been listed as a runaway juvenile, was also located. The involved vehicle and a firearm matching the description of the one used in the robbery in Florence was also recovered.
-
*UPDATE* 05/03/2023 – Armed Robbery & Burglary in the Florence Area
FPD Case #23-4223 / LCSO Case #23-2332
The suspects in this case have been identified as 15-year-old Daniel Michael Keough and 17-year-old Quinton Matthew Ramey. Both are from Redding, CA. A 16-year-old female by the name of Taylor Kathleen Lenihan is believed to be traveling with them.
The suspects in this case are no longer believed to be in the Florence area. They are to be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone encountering them are asked to dial 911.
-
Armed Robbery and Burglaries Believed to be Committed by Same Suspects in Florence Area
Last night at about 10:30PM the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received the report of an attempted burglary at the Cleawox Market located in the 85000blk of Hwy. 101 south of Florence. The manager of the location reported that two masked subjects attempted to enter the vacant store after shooting through the front door with a shotgun. Security footage on scene depicted the suspects armed with a shotgun that resembles the appearance of an AK-47 style rifle. The suspects did not make entry into the store.
Approximately 30 minutes later the Florence Police Department responded to the report of an armed robbery that had just occurred at the American Market located in the 2500blk of Hwy. 101. The suspects were wearing masks and armed with what appeared to be the same weapon used in the attempted burglary. The suspects stole cigarettes, other smoking devices and an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspects departed northbound on Hwy. 101 in a white, two-door Dodge Dakota pickup. The truck was displaying California plate #53657H2.
The suspects are described as white males. One was wearing a red or maroon sweatshirt, black pants, white shoes, and a bandana over his face. The other was wearing a black t-shirt, black pants, black shoes, and a black ski mask.
The suspects in this case are to be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 opt. 1 or Florence Police Department at 541-997-3515.
Please reference FPD Case #23-4223 or LCSO Case #23-2332.
Measure 20-340
www.publicsafetylevy.org
Public Information Sessions for Proposed Lane County Public Safety Levy Renewal
Week of April 30 – May 6, 2023.
Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold will be available for questions related to the proposed Lane County Jail Levy Renewal (Measure 20-340) at the following locations this week:
- Monday, May 1 at 6:00PM – SERBU Youth Campus – Carmichael Room (2727 MLK Jr. Blvd., Eugene)
- Saturday, May 6 at 2:00PM – Cottage Grove Community Center (700 E. Gibbs Ave., Cottage Grove)
Following a short presentation, the Sheriff will be available to answer questions and speak with community members.
Passage of this measure would not increase the tax rate and renews a current local option tax.
Measure renewal will maintain a minimum of 255 local jail beds for the five-year period, providing the Sheriff with improved ability to hold those arrested for violent felony offenses until their cases are resolved.
Levy renewal would also:
- maintain investment in medical mental health services within the Jail to help those in custody make positive improvements and build life skills in an effort to reduce recidivism
- continue to provide counseling, secure treatment, and detention services for youth offenders
Levy funds are placed in a restricted fund earmarked for the Jail and Youth Services. An annual independent financial audit of levy spending is required and presented publicly.
The estimated tax rate for this levy is $0.55 per $1,000 of assessed value. The median Lane County homeowner is estimated to pay an average of $118 per year for five years.
Additional information sessions will be provided by the Sheriff at different locations throughout the county in the upcoming weeks.