News

In April of 2014, Madaline Pitkin passed away while under medical care at the Washington County Jail. In response to this incident, the Sheriff stated, “On behalf of everyone at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, I express my deepest sympathies and condolences to Ms. Pitkin’s family and friends. Madaline Pitkin’s death was a tragedy, and we remain committed to taking decisive steps to make sure that we have the highest level of health care available.”

On December 22, 2020, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a theft in progress near SW Crestdale Drive and SW Canyon Road in the West Slope area.

On December 20, 2020, just before 1 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a man who had threatened a FedEx delivery driver with a gun.

On December 20, 2020, just after midnight, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a stabbing in the 20600 block of SW 65th Av. near Tualatin in unincorporated Washington County. A man showed up at an area hospital and said he had been stabbed at a house.

On December 19, 2020, at 1:50 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a head-on crash at SW Farmington Rd. and SW Riggs Rd. A 2013 Subaru Impreza was on fire after it crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a 2019 Dodge Caravan.

On December 18, 2020, just before 12:30 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a custodial interference call in the 21000 block of NW Rock Creek Blvd. in the community of Rock Creek.

On December 16, 2020, at 11:21 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a burglary call at a home in the community of Aloha, near the intersection of SW Willow Creek Court and SW Willow Creek Drive. The residents said they heard knocking at their front door and then realized someone had forced their way inside. The person was wearing a black and red mask, holding a flashlight and a shovel, and identified themselves as a federal agent. Shortly after, the suspect fled on foot but left the shovel they were holding in the home’s front yard.

On December 2, 2020, Washington County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report that an adult man exposed himself to a 13-year-old boy at an apartment complex near SW 214th Ave. in the community of Aloha. Deputies released a description of the suspect on social media to notify community members and locate any witnesses. The incident was caught on a nearby surveillance camera, and that video showed the vehicle the suspect was driving. The video was released on social media the following day, December 3.

On December 4, 2020, at 4:35 p.m., Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a crash near the intersection of SW 198th Avenue and SW Blanton Street. The collision involved a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a black Dodge Charger. The female motorcycle passenger was severely injured.

During the past several months, deputies have seen an increase in third-party shipping scams and<br />want to warn the public.

With the increase in online ordering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase in reports of package thefts in our community. To fight this epidemic, our Property Crimes Unit (PCU) is continuing its Bait Package Program during this busy holiday shopping season.

On December 2, 2020, at around 10:30 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report that an adult man exposed himself to a 13-year-old boy.

On Monday, November 16, 2020, at 3:44 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported commercial burglary at the Baskin Robbins in Aloha. A citizen reported the glass front door of the business was smashed. Detectives from the Property Crimes Unit were assigned to the investigation. After analyzing surveillance video footage and crime patterns from the area, detectives identified 28-year-old Mauricio Cesar Castro-Moreira as the suspect. On Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 2:11 p.m., a patrol deputy assigned to the city of Cornelius stopped a vehicle that had been reported stolen the previous day in Aloha. The driver was Mr. Castro-Moreira. Deputies located several stolen items in the vehicle.

On November 26, 2020, at 6:41 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call of a male breaking into a car. The investigation revealed that the male suspect had not only entered several vehicles, but had also been inside the residence and the garage. While inside the home, the male used the restroom and helped himself to food that the family was going to prepare for their Thanksgiving breakfast. The suspect also loaded his pockets with various items he stole from the vehicles and the home. Detectives from the Property Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Investigators have already linked the suspect to at least one additional case.

November 2020 has been a particularly dangerous month for drivers in Washington County. Since the beginning of the month, deputies have responded to six fatal crashes.

On November 7, 2020, just after 7:30 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an armed robbery of the Autozone at 825 NW Murray Blvd. in the community of Cedar Mill. Deputies learned one man stole from the store and ran to a truck waiting outside. The driver of the truck pulled out a gun and confronted a store employee. Both men then fled in the truck.

On November 23, 2020, at 1:14 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to assist officers with the Beaverton Police Department near SW 167th Avenue and SW Division Street in Aloha. An officer in the area reported that he had observed two vehicles speed racing but was unable to stop the vehicles. Deputies responded to investigate after learning that both vehicles had crashed into a home in the area, causing a fire.

On November 20, 2020, at 2:59 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a traffic crash near SW Hillsboro Highway and SW Morilon Lane in unincorporated Hillsboro. Multiple<br />witnesses reported crash between a green 1998 Honda Civic and cement-mixer truck. Deputies arrived on scene and found that the driver of the Honda was deceased.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office recognizes public trust and accountability are of the utmost importance. To ensure that all Washington County Sheriff’s Office policies, procedures, standards, training, evaluation, and accountability related to the use of force align with best practices, the Sheriff’s Office has contracted with Polis Solutions. After conducting a national search, receiving proposals from five vendors, and conducting a thorough evaluation, Polis was awarded the $149,700 contract. Under the contract, Polis will thoroughly review all elements of WCSO operations and administration related to the use of force.