Sheriff's Office News

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.