Linn County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fire Near Sweet Home
Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on November 9, 2023, at 3:26 p.m., Linn County Dispatch received a report of a house on fire in the 28000 block of Highway 20 near Sweet Home. Emergency responders, including the Sweet Home Fire Department and Linn County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene, and discovered smoke pouring out of the house. During fire suppression efforts, one person was located deceased inside of the home.
The investigation revealed Nancy Hoffman, age 79, of Sweet Home, sustained fatal injuries during fire. Deputies are still on the scene today, working with fire investigators to determine the cause of the fire. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Sweet Home Fire Department, Lebanon Fire Department, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Caleb Riley at the Linn County Sheriff’s Office (541) 967-3950. Sheriff Duncan extends her heartfelt condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragic incident.
Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on November 5, 2023, at around 7:07 a.m., the Linn County Dispatch Center received several calls regarding a suspicious vehicle near Parker Road and Webber Drive in Shedd. Callers reported a pickup was pulling a trailer with a commercial gas tank. One of the callers stated they spoke to the driver of the truck after it stopped to unhook the trailer, as the rear of the trailer was dragging on the ground.
Deputies arrived in the area and were notified by witnesses that the pickup that had been pulling the trailer was left in a nearby field and the driver was seen walking into a densely wooded area. Deputies set up a perimeter where the male was seen walking while other deputies investigated the trailer and commercial gas tank that had been left behind. Deputies were able to determine the trailer had been stolen from Sweet Home and the commercial gas tank had been stolen from a construction job site in Albany. Neither the owner of the trailer or commercial gas tank were aware their property had been stolen until contacted by the investigating deputies. Deputies also learned that the commercial gas tank contained a large amount of fuel and was moved onto the trailer using an excavator at the jobsite.
With assistance from a drone and an Albany Police K9, the male was located hiding in the densely wooded area. The male was identified as Dale Jesse Grant Reeley, 34, from Sweet Home. Dale was arrested and brought to the Linn County Jail on charges of Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Unlawful Entry into Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Theft I, Criminal Mischief II, and Criminal Trespass II.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Albany Police Department and the Oregon State Police.