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| Criminal Apprehension Through Patrol Enforcement Saturation Patrols Lead to Numerous Arrests and Seizures |
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| 11/01/2007 |
Lieutenant Gregg Hastings
Public Information Officer
Office: (503) 731-3020 ext. 247
Sergeant David Beck
Oregon State Police - Central Point
Office: (541) 776-6114 ext. 243
Photograph links valid for 30 days - Source: Oregon State Police
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An unannounced saturation patrol last week in selected areas involving state troopers from Oregon, Washington and California led to several arrests and the seizure and recovery of evidence related to criminal activity. Oregon's high visibility patrols not only yielded several arrests and led to the seizure of over a quarter million dollars of illegal drugs, but also had a noticeable impact on traffic safety and received positive comments from citizens in the targeted areas.
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers, working in conjunction with several county and city police agencies, concentrated enforcement efforts at entry points into the State on Interstate 5 in the Central Point and Salem areas, and on Highway 97 in the Klamath Falls and The Dalles areas. Other participating Oregon law enforcement agencies included Medford Police Department, Klamath County Sheriff's Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, Salem Police Department, Gilliam County Sheriff's Office and Sherman County Sheriff's Office. Washington State Patrol and California Highway Patrol officers targeted similar areas in their states to coincide with the Oregon patrol efforts.
"This was a great example of patrol saturations in specific areas to address traffic safety issues that led officers to find criminal activity beyond the original reason for the initial stop," said OSP Captain Gerry Gregg, Director of the OSP Patrol Services Division. "A variety of crimes have a transportation component. By combining our resources we were able to concentrate on area-specific traffic safety issues and increase criminal apprehension efforts through our patrol enforcement."
The tri-state enforcement effort started Tuesday, October 23rd, and concluded Friday morning, October 26th. One of the first traffic stops on Tuesday involving a participating OSP trooper on Interstate 5 near Ashland led to the arrest of one person on Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle after determining the vehicle was stolen in California and it was headed to the Seattle, Washington area. During the 72-hour enforcement period, participating OSP troopers stopped 928 vehicles and reported the following enforcement totals:
- 214 traffic citations
- 1,041 warnings issued
- 9 DUII drivers arrested
- 34 criminal arrests including drug-related, UUMV, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- 4 arrests on outstanding warrants
Criminal interdiction seizures in Oregon included:
- Approximately 67 pounds of Marijuana (estimated value $234,000)
- Approximately 3/4 pound of Cocaine (estimated value $12,000)
- Approximately 3/4 pound of Methamphetamine (estimated value $16,800)
- Approximately one ounce of hashish
- 98 Ecstasy tablets
- Over $63,000.00 cash
- Two recovered stolen vehicles
Washington State Patrol reported the following enforcement totals:
- 813 Violators contacted
- 38 Misdemeanor drug arrests
- 14 Felony drug arrests
- 18 Misdemeanor warrant arrests
- 3 Felony warrant arrests
- 42 Suspend/revoked arrests
- 172 Commercial Vehicle Inspections
- $16,850 Seized from Criminal Activities
Enforcement statistical information from California Highway Patrol is not available.
The following highlights some Oregon incidents and cases during this period:
- On October 23, 2007, OSP troopers assigned to the operation assisted Sherman County Sheriff's Department deputies with a report of an armed robbery at a Biggs Junction gas station. The suspects displayed a handgun and fled from the scene. The investigation is being led by the sheriff's department.
- On October 23, 2007, an OSP trooper detained a vehicle for a traffic violation on Highway 97 near Klamath Falls. The operator was a convicted felon and was found in possession of rifle ammunition and a rifle which were seized from the subject.
- On October 23, 2007, an OSP trooper stopped a Chevrolet Tahoe displaying Washington license plates for a traffic violation on Interstate 5 northbound near Woodburn. During the contact, the operator fled on foot from the scene as the passenger jumped in the driver's seat and fled in the vehicle northbound attempting to elude troopers. The vehicle crashed in the Wilsonville area and its driver attempted to flee the scene on foot before being taken into custody following a short foot chase. A drug detection canine was deployed and alerted to the vehicle. A search warrant was subsequently served resulting in the seizure of 12 ounces of crystal methamphetamine concealed under the center console.
- On October 24, 2007 an OSP trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation southbound Interstate 5 near Grants Pass. During the stop the occupants consented to a request to search the vehicle. With the assistance of a drug detection canine, approximately $62,000 cash was found concealed underneath the front passenger seat after the dog alerted on the vehicle's exterior. Both occupants indicated they had no knowledge of the currency and the investigation is continuing.
- On October 24, 2007 an OSP trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation northbound Interstate 5 near Ashland. During the stop a drug detection canine alerted to the exterior of the vehicle from which approximately 3.3 pounds of marijuana was found in the trunk. In addition to drug-related charges, the driver was taken into custody for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs.
- On October 25, 2007, OSP troopers contacted occupants of two vehicles at a local rest area on Highway 97 near milepost 283. During the contact a drug detection canine alerted to the exterior of the vehicle. A subsequent search resulted in the seizure of approximately 12 ounces of cocaine under the front passenger seat. The occupants of that vehicle were arrested on cocaine charges. In addition, its operator was also found in possession of 98 Ecstasy tablets and a small amount of marijuana. The occupants of the second vehicle were cited for possession of marijuana.
- On October 25, 2007 an OSP trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Highway 97 near milepost 289. A drug detection canine alerted on the vehicle's exterior and a subsequent search led to the seizure of 14 one-pound packages of marijuana in two duffle bags in the trunk.
- On October 25, 2007 an OSP trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation northbound on Interstate 5 near Ashland. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 14 pounds of marijuana, one ounce of hashish, and $1,367.00 in cash.
- On October 26, 2007 an OSP trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and subsequently seized more than one ounce of marijuana from the operator. The trooper also learned the female occupant had a current restraining order against the male operator who was arrested for Violation of Restraining Order.
The hardworking positive results extended beyond the concentrated enforcement efforts of troopers and local law enforcement agencies as people contacted OSP in local areas to express their appreciation for the highly visible enforcement.
"Troopers working in The Dalles area were contacted by local citizens who expressed their thanks because they felt it significantly reduced the average speed of commercial vehicles traveling through the area on Interstate 84," said Lieutenant Pat Ashmore, OSP Area Command at The Dalles office.
"High speed drivers are a real problem on Highway 97 in the Klamath Falls area," said OSP Sergeant Robert Fenner. "Troopers noticed an obvious reduction in the average speed of motorists traveling on Highway 97 during the enforcement operation, and community members contacted us to express their appreciation not only for the increased enforcement but also because they felt it helped improve safety in this area."
Sergeant Fenner pointed out three drivers who did not get the message and were stopped by OSP troopers:
- On October 25th, an OSP senior trooper cited ROBERT PINNEY, age 30, from Klamath Falls, for Exceeding the Speed Limit in Excess of 100 mph and Driving While Suspended after he was stopped for going 111 mph on Highway 97 near milepost 268.
- On October 26th, an OSP senior trooper cited MATHEW BALKWELL, age 43, from Klamath Falls, for Exceeding the Speed Limit in Excess of 100 mph after he was stopped for going 111 mph on Highway 97 near milepost 256.
- On October 27th, an OSP trooper cited ANTHONY ELLIS, age 18, from Klamath Falls, for Exceeding the Speed Limit in Excess of 100 mph after he was stopped for going 101 mph on Highway 97 near milepost 257.
Information related to Washington State Patrol's participation can be obtained from Trooper Mike Kesler at (360) 449-7960.
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