News

On Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at 12:20 p.m., Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a burglary call located at an apartment complex near the 18200 block of NW Heritage Parkway. Deputies learned a nine-year-old girl was in her living room and noticed a man walking in the green space behind her apartment. The man saw the girl looking at him and began walking towards the back door of her apartment. He then walked in the unlocked sliding glass door and confronted the girl in her living room.

On Friday, July 3, 2020 at 11:35 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies assigned to the city of Cornelius were dispatched to a report of a man with a gun in the 100 block of South Magnolia Avenue.

During the final week of June 2020, two serious incidents involving people in crisis were resolved peacefully by Sheriff’s Office deputies, saving the lives of two individuals in our community.

On Friday, June 26, 2020, the Washington County Medical Examiner identified the human remains found on Saturday, June 20th near North Plains as Allyson Watterson.

The Washington County District Attorney's Office presented additional evidence to a grand jury related to Deputy Rian Alden's use of force incident. The Grand Jury returned a charge of assault in the second degree (2 counts), unlawful use of a weapon, and official misconduct. As a reminder, evidence in the case cannot be released until the case is adjudicated.

In a little more than 24 hours over the weekend, deputies were called to three significant crashes, which led to two deaths and one juvenile being charged. In every crash, alcohol is suspected to be a factor, and the people in the vehicles were ejected.

The suspect in this case, 39-year-old Lisa Akers, was taken into custody early this morning in Grant County, Oregon.

On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at 7:21 p.m, a Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on patrol in the community of Aloha when she observed a male speeding in a white Ford F-150 in the area of SW Blanton Street and SW 170th Avenue. When the deputy attempted to stop the truck, the driver sped away and ran a red light. Deputies did not pursue for safety reasons. During the investigation, it was determined that the truck had been stolen earlier in the week during a burglary of an auto repair shop. A deputy recognized the driver of the stolen truck to be 26-year-old Ahmed Sadiq, of Aloha.

On Thursday, June 11, 2020, at 8:54 p.m., a Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to reports of a suspected drunk driver near SW 184th Avenue and SW Blanton Street in the community of Aloha. After observing the driver swerving through the streets, nearly hitting a few parked cars along the side of the road, the deputy attempted to stop the car. The driver of a silver Toyota Corolla initially pulled over, but then decided to take off before contacting the deputy.

On June 11, 2020, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office email list was accessed by an unauthorized individual. This database of email addresses was used to send a fake version of our “WCSO News” email newsletter. The information contained in the fake email is inflammatory and does not further the conversation or help the frustration and concerns our community is feeling in regard to police brutality and race relations. We apologize for the unauthorized spam messages.

The Washington County Major Crimes Team has identified the deceased as Robert Anthony “Jordan” Whitehead, age 26.

On the afternoon of May 31, 2020, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received an allegation that a deputy sent an inappropriate email with racial epithets. While it appears the email is over 16 years old and four years before being employed at the Sheriff’s Office, it is entirely inconsistent with the core values and professional standards at the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office promptly opened an investigation by the Professional Standards Unit (PSU). The employee is on administrative leave pending PSU’s investigation.

We stand together as law enforcement professionals in the Portland Metropolitan Area to condemn the tactics and actions demonstrated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is our job to protect life and increase public safety within our communities.

Beginning Wednesday, May 27, 2020, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) will conduct a three-day compliance assessment of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. The team will measure the agency’s continued ability to meet public safety standards considered to be benchmarks of excellence nationwide. The Sheriff’s Office has been continuously nationally accredited by CALEA since 2004.

On Friday, May 1, 2020, Portland Police Bureau officers found Mr. Swearingen. He was found safe near the Eastmoreland Golf Course.

On April 23, 2020, at 9:15 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Plaid Pantry at 809 NW Murray Bv. in the community of Bethany. An employee called 911 to report the store had been robbed at knifepoint. A man wearing a mask, gloves, and sunglasses robbed the store and then fled on foot.

On Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 9:37 p.m. Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a restraining order violation actively occurring. 25-year-old Christopher Kent, of Hillsboro, Oregon, was driving his 1992 Ford Aerostar van and was chasing another vehicle. Mr. Kent was chasing an individual who had an active restraining order against him. While deputies were trying to catch up to Mr. Kent’s vehicle, Mr. Kent rammed the car he was chasing.

On Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at 11:40 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a 2002 Ford F150 with a suspected DUII driver. The traffic stop took place at NW Cornelius Pass Road at NW West Union Road, and the driver was identified as Jenaro Segundo-Garcia of Beaverton. Deputies discovered Mr. Segundo-Garcia’s license was revoked on a felony level and saw signs of impairment while talking to him. Mr. Segundo-Garcia cooperated with the investigation and was arrested for DUII (felony) and driving while felony revoked. At 1:00 a.m. the next morning, Mr. Segundo-Garcia provided a breath sample of .20 BAC. He received a citation in-lieu-of custody and was released to a responsible party at his home.

On April 1, 2020, the Washington County Sheriff's Office was notified by a staff member in the Patrol Division that they tested positive for COVID-19. Others who worked closely with the staff member were advised of the potential exposure and are taking the necessary precautions. The risk of exposure to the general public is very low.

On Friday, April 3, 2020, at 5:52 a.m., Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies serving the City of Cornelius found out 38-year-old, Gilberto Miranda, of Cornelius, Oregon, was at a residence located at 469 S 19th Avenue. Deputies are familiar with Mr. Miranda and knew he had an active warrant for rape in the first degree.