Detectives Investigate Early Morning Arson Incident (Photo) -01/20/25

Overnight Hit And Run Collision, Suspect Arrested -01/17/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: January 17, 2025

Overnight hit and run collision, suspect arrested

Salem, Ore. — At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, officers responded to the report of an injured man in the roadway in the 2000 block of Lancaster DR NE. Paramedics performed lifesaving measures, but the pedestrian was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.

The preliminary report by the Salem Police Traffic Team indicates the driver was traveling southbound on Lancaster DR, south of Beverly AV NE when the victim was struck. The driver continued southbound with the victim separating from the vehicle after several blocks. The driver did not stop and left the area.

The victim of the hit-and-run collision is identified as 55-year-old Brian Devin Coulson of Salem.

Officers searched the area and at approximately 12:20 a.m. located the involved vehicle and driver in the vicinity of Cordon and Silverton RDS NE. The suspect is identified as 35-year-old Sergio Aguilar of Gervais.

Aguilar was taken into custody and lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:

• Manslaughter, second degree
• Reckless driving
• Reckless endangering
• Failure to perform the duties of a driver
• Driving under the influence of an intoxicant

The southbound lanes of Lancaster DR NE were closed between Beverly AV and Sunnyview RD NE for approximately five hours for the scene investigation and clearing.

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Armed Robbery Suspect Apprehended -01/16/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: January 16, 2025

Armed robbery suspect apprehended

Salem, Ore. — A 40-year-old Keizer man was arrested this morning for his involvement in a December armed robbery at the Flight Deck Restaurant & Lounge in southeast Salem.

Just after 9:00 p.m. on December 10, 2024, a man followed an employee into the business and pointed what appeared to be a handgun at them and demanded money. The employee complied, and the suspect, identified as Butch August Knupp, left with a large amount of cash.

Violent Crimes Unit detectives, with the assistance of the Salem Police SWAT Team, served a search warrant at a residence in the 1200 block of Chemawa RD N in the city of Keizer, apprehending Knupp without incident. Seized in the search were two firearms, a handgun and a rifle, and two replica guns.

Knupp was lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges of robbery in the first degree and unlawful use of a weapon.

With Knupp in custody, all media inquiries regarding the investigation must be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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Serial Burglar In Custody (Photo) -01/15/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: January 15, 2025

Serial burglar in custody

Salem, Ore. — On Tuesday, January 14, Felony Crimes Unit detectives arrested Johnathan Dale Korrell of Salem on charges of burglary and theft related to a five-week investigation into a series of northeast Salem business burglaries.

The first burglary occurred on December 2, 2024, with five other incidents occurring in the weeks that followed.

With the assistance of the Salem Police SWAT Team, detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of Locust ST NE. Recovered in the search were multiple pieces of property stolen in the burglaries which have a conservative aggregate value of $100,000.

Korrell, who was inside the Locust ST residence, was arrested without incident and lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:

• Burglary, first-degree, three counts
• Burglary, second-degree, three counts
• Attempt to commit burglary, second-degree
• Theft, first-degree, three counts
• Aggravated theft, first-degree, two counts
• Criminal mischief, first-degree

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available for release.

The 36-year-old Korrell is set to be arraigned today at 2:30 p.m. at the Marion County Circuit Annex.

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Suspicious Death Ruled Homicide, Victim Identified, And Suspect In Custody — UPDATE -01/10/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

UPDATE: January 10, 2025

Suspicious death ruled homicide, victim identified, and suspect in custody

Update: The state medical examiner’s autopsy has ruled the manner of death to be homicide; the individual had a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was also identified as missing person Priscilla Joann Aldana, age 43 of Salem. Aldana was reported missing on December 23, 2024.

On January 3, a body was located outside a burned structure on an abandoned lot and later identified as Aldana.

The investigation into Aldana’s disappearance led detectives to Erik Mauricio Meza as a suspect in the case. Meza, age 44 of Salem, and Aldana were in a domestic relationship.

Detectives and a contingent of tactical officers were following Meza and apprehended him without incident in the 500 block of 18 ST NE on Thursday night, January 9.

Meza was lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:

• Murder, second degree
• Abuse of a corpse, second degree
• Arson, second degree

With Meza in custody, all further media inquiries in the case should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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Originally published 01/03/2025 | 1710

Suspicious death investigation underway

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police detectives are conducting a death investigation after a body was found in the 3000 block of Lancaster DR SE today.

The body was located in a vacant lot at approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning by Salem Police.

The cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy by the Oregon State Medical Examiner. In the meantime, detectives are working to determine the identity of the individual and treating the investigation as a suspicious death.

No other information is available for release.

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Adult Posing As Teen Arrested On Multiple Sex Crimes Charges (Photo) -01/02/25

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DATE: January 2, 2025

Adult posing as teen arrested on multiple sex crimes charges

Detectives search for other possible victims

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police Special Victims Unit detectives arrested Salem resident Jeramey Lee Braman on December 31, 2024, on charges of second-degree sex abuse (nine counts), third-degree rape, and third-degree sodomy.

Braman became the focus of an investigation after detectives received a report he was posing as a minor on social media to meet teen girls.

Detectives are seeking additional information for anyone who had contact with Braman and are releasing his photograph, description, and usernames which he used to contact minor girls.

Braman, age 24, is 5-feet, 2-inches tall, has brown hair and brown eyes, and a slender build. He was an active SnapChat and Instagram user under the names lil j or jbraman0 or yaboylilj. He drives newer model, white sedans.

Anyone who has had similar incidents involving Braman, or who may have information relevant to the case, is asked to call Detective Cort Kirksey at 503-540-2418.

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Overnight Death Investigation In West Salem -- UPDATE -12/30/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: December 30, 2024

CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Overnight death investigation in west Salem

Investigation determined a hit-and-run fatality

Update 12/30/2024 | 0830

The preliminary investigation done by the Traffic Team determined the man found in the roadway on the evening of December 23 was struck by a vehicle that left the scene. The victim, identified as Steven Craig Bishop, was pronounced deceased by responding paramedics.

The hit-and-run fatality occurred on Murlark AV just north of Edgewater ST NW at about 8:30 p.m.

Video surveillance near the area where Bishop was found shows a passing motorist minutes before the call to police was received. In the recording, a white vehicle is seen traveling eastbound on Edgewater ST NW as it approaches Murlark AV NW. The vehicle appears to be a Jeep Grand Cherokee, possibly a 2015 or 2016 model year.

Investigators ask for the public’s help in finding this vehicle of interest.

If you are the driver, know the person driving in the video, or if you have information about the case, please call the Traffic Team investigators at 503-588-8477.

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Video URL: https://salempd.info/case-24111545

Originally published 12/24/2024 | 1200

Overnight death investigation in west Salem

Salem, Ore. — At approximately 8:30 p.m. Monday evening, December 23, Salem Police officers responded to the call of an injured man found in the roadway in the area of Murlark AV and Edgewater ST NW.

The man, age 63, was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification to the family.

The Salem Police Traffic Team is investigating the incident as a possible hit-and-run. Anyone who may have information related to this investigation is encouraged to call the Salem Police Tips Line at 503‑588‑8477.

The intersection was closed for three-and-a-half hours for the scene investigation.

No further information is available for release at this time.

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Public Appeal For Help Locating Missing, Endangered Salem Woman (Photo) -12/27/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: December 27, 2024

Public appeal for help locating missing, endangered Salem woman

Salem, Ore. — The Salem Police Department asks for the public’s help in locating a missing, endangered woman, Priscilla Joann Aldana of Salem.

Priscilla was reported missing on Monday, December 23; however, was last known to be in the area of Lancaster DR and Hagers Grove RD SE at approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, December 20.

Priscilla is a 43-year-old Hispanic woman with black, curly hair and brown eyes. She is approximately 5‑foot, 8‑inches in height and has a slender build.

Priscilla left her minor children and is without medication which she needs.

Anyone who sees Priscilla is asked to call the Salem Police Tip Line at 503-588-8477.

“Several posters are circulating asking the public to call alternate phone numbers and email addresses,” said public information officer Angela Hedrick, adding, “However, it is important that the public specifically call the Salem Police Tip Line so that the information is received by the detectives handling the case.”

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