Newport Police News Releases

NPD MEDIA RELEASE       121707

Incident:    Arrest – Criminal Mischief Incidents       Case: 07N-02955

Location:       Hwy 101 near NE 9^th Street     

Date/Time:      121207 / 9:20 PM

Victim: Various businesses in the Newport area

Suspect:        Grogan, Robert Shea   DOB/022888

Details:        On 121207, Newport Police officers took Grogan into custody near Hwy 101 and NE 9^th Streets after receiving reports of a person writing graffiti on a nearby business.  Gorgan tried to flee officers while being questioned, but was taken into custody after a foot chase.  When questioned, Grogan admitted to writing graffiti on several different businesses dating back several weeks. 

Newport officers have been investigating a series of graffiti incidents since 11-29-07, in which the suspect wrote or painted unique supremacist gang related type graffiti both on the exterior and interior walls of businesses in the Newport area.  Grogan was found writing those same unique supremacist graffiti items on 121207 when he was taken into custody.

On 121207, Grogan was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail and charged with multiple counts of Criminal Mischief III, Probation Violation, Escape III and was cited for MIP.  More charges are expected to be filed against Shea as the investigation continues.

Any person with information about these crimes is requested to contact Officer Andy Ashpole of the Newport Police Department at (541) 574-3348. 

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Information Released By:  Sgt Tom Simpson, (541) 574-3348

NPD MEDIA RELEASE       12/16/2007 @ 1:30 AM

Incident:       Criminal Mischief (graffiti)          Case: 07N-02961

Location:       SE Newport Business Area

Date/Time:      December 12, 13, 14, 2007 – 5:30 PM – 9:00 AM

Victim: Over 10 Victims

Details:             The Newport Police Department is investigating over 10 criminal mischief cases where local business buildings and vehicles were spray painted with graffiti.  These incidents occurred on the evening of December 12^th, 13^th, and 14^th 2007.  The times of occurrences vary but are commonly between the hours of 5:30 PM to 9:00 AM.  The businesses and their vehicles vandalized were located in the area of SE Douglas Street west to Highway 101, between SE 1^st Street and East Olive Street.  The suspect or suspects spray painted the initials “WCB”, “ROMMA”, and “ROM”. 

The Police Department is asking for your help with identifying the suspects responsible for committing these crimes.  If you recognize the initials listed or have information leading to the arrest of the persons responsible for committing these crimes, you are encouraged to contact Ofcr. Jay Reynolds at 265-4850 or the Newport Police Department at 574-3348.

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Information Released By:  Sgt. Todd R. Sarazin, (541) 574-3348

MEDIA RELEASE   12/10/2007 @ 9:30 PM

Incident:       Traffic Crash   Case: 07N-02933

Location:       400 Block of SW 9th Street/ SW Hurbert Street

Date/Time:      12/10/2007 @ 4:20 PM

Driver:         Michael Connon, DOB: 09/08/1951

        Waldport Resident

Driver:               June Johanson, DOB: 06/05/1950

                        Seal Rock Resident

Mentioned:      Humberto Vargas-Gonzalez, DOB: 03/06/1981

        Newport Resident

 

Details:        Newport Officers were dispatched to a two vehicle traffic crash involving a Mid Columbia School bus.  Through the investigation it was learned that the 1993 Ford School Bus driven by Connon was north bound on SW 9^th Street approaching SW Hurbert Street.  Parked on the east side of the street in Connon’s lane of travel was a ford passenger van.  The van was parked illegally in a yellow zone.  Connon had driven into the oncoming lane of travel to avoid hitting the illegally parked van and when doing so collided with Johanson’s vehicle.  Johanson was driving a 2006 PT Cruiser and had just turned south onto SW 9^th Street from SW Hurbert Street.  Because of the sun shining in Johanson’s eyes she was temporarily blinded and was not able to see the school bus. The left front portion of her vehicle collided with the left front bumper of the school bus.  The school bus was on route dropping off children.  None of the passengers on the school bus were injured.  Johanson was transported by ambulance to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital to be treated for apparent minor injuries.  Officers located Gonzalez, the owner of the illegally parked van.  He was issued a citation for parking in a yellow zone. 

Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Officer Tyson Haynes at 541-265-4844.

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Information Released By:  Sgt. Todd R. Sarazin, 541-574-3348