Suspected Impaired Driver Crashes Into MCSO Patrol SUV During DUII Memorial Mission - 03/01/26

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – A 20-year-old woman is accused of driving while impaired and crashing into a Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s patrol SUV.

The crash occurred during a DUII patrol mission conducted in honor of two MCSO reserve deputies who were killed in 1993 by an impaired driver.

At approximately 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, a vehicle hit the deputy’s patrol SUV at Northeast 162^nd Avenue and Northeast Fremont Street in Portland.

Fortunately, the crash did not injure the deputy or the passenger.

The crash happened several hours into a high‑visibility DUII patrol mission conducted in partnership with Oregon State Police, Gresham Police, and TriMet Transit Police.

On February 26, 1993, MCSO Reserve Sergeant Scott Collins and Reserve Deputy Mark Whitehead died in the line of duty while patrolling Interstate 84 near Fairview.

An impaired driver, Ervin Vandervoort, crossed the median at an estimated speed of more than 100 miles per hour and collided with the patrol car carrying the two reserve deputies. All three died.

As reserve members, Collins and Whitehead served alongside full-time MCSO deputies without pay, dedicating their time, professionalism, and personal sacrifice to protecting the community.

Reserve Sergeant Collins, 34, had served five years as a reserve deputy, and Deputy Whitehead, 26, had served for approximately 18 months.

OSP responded to the crash on Northeast Fremont Street as the primary investigative agency.

Troopers booked 20-year-old Luz Solimar Chavez-Castillo into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, two counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of reckless driving.

Before the mission began, family members of Reserve Sergeant Collins and Deputy Whitehead met with law enforcement to share memories and express their appreciation. The families said the loss of their loved ones continues to have a profound impact, but that Saturday’s patrol mission ensures both deputies are honored and never forgotten.

MCSO acknowledges Oregon State Police, Gresham Police, and TriMet Transit Police Department for their assistance and partnership.

Official statistics from the operation are still being compiled.

Specific questions about the crash involving Chavez-Castillo should be referred to Oregon State Police.

MCSO is releasing several images from Saturday.

Media may use these photos with credit to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Issues Amber Alert - 02/25/26

View this release online.

Note: This story has been updated to reflect that both children and their mother have been safely located, and the children's names and photos have been removed to protect their identities now that public assistance is no longer required.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – Tonight, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) issued an AMBER Alert for two missing and endangered children who are believed to be with their non-custodial mother.

Based on preliminary information, in December 2025, a Multnomah County judge granted temporary custody of eight-year-old [Name Removed] and seven-year-old [Name Removed] to their father. The court ordered supervised parenting‑time conditions for the mother, 37-year-old Ann Marie Quarles. 

On February 13, 2026, a family member dropped off both children with Quarles, but she did not return the children as expected. On February 20, 2026, the court determined Quarles to be in violation of the custody order and directed law enforcement to assist the father in recovering the children.

On February 24, 2026, MCSO went to Quarles’ apartment, located in the 2600-block of Southeast 145^th Avenue in Portland, but neither she nor the two girls were there. 

During the investigation, deputies were told Quarles may have left over the weekend with the girls. Due to the circumstances, MCSO law enforcement deputies requested assistance from MCSO detectives.

Deputies reached Quarles by phone on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, who told them she was in Moses Lake, Washington but refused to give her exact location. Deputies instructed her to contact local law enforcement, but she refused. Quarles also told deputies that she did not intend to comply with the court’s order. 

Detectives believe [Name Removed] and [Name Removed] may be in danger.

Although Quarles told deputies she is in Washington, that information has not been confirmed. There could be a chance she and the two girls are in Portland. 

[Name Removed] and her sister, [Name Removed], are both white females, approximately 4 feet tall and weighing between 40 and 45 pounds. They each have dark blonde hair and blue eyes.

Community members are urged to call 9-1-1 if they see [Name Removed] and [Name Removed] or Quarles. 

AMBER Alerts are issued to rapidly disseminate vital information to the public and partner agencies to assist in the safe recovery of children believed to have been abducted and are in imminent danger. 

An AMBER Alert is issued only when certain criteria are met, including:

• Reasonable belief that an abduction has occurred.
• The missing child is 17 years of age or younger and believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.
• Sufficient descriptive information is available about the child, suspect, and/or suspect’s vehicle that can assist in the child’s recovery.
• Required information has been entered into national law enforcement information systems. 

[Photo Removed]

(Above photo: [Name Removed])

[Photo Removed]

(Above photo: [Name Removed]) 

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Two Missing Children Found Unharmed - 02/25/26

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MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is providing an update on a case that involved two missing and endangered children.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday February 25, 2026, MCSO deputies safely located 37-year-old Ann Marie Quarles and her two children in the 17000-block of Northeast Sacramento Street in Gresham.

Neither child appeared injured.

Detectives will complete their investigation and forward the case to the district attorney’s office.

MCSO initiated the AMBER Alert process based on the information available at the time and the concern that both children were at risk after being taken by their non‑custodial mother in violation of a court order.

After the alert was requested, Oregon State Police (OSP), which manages Oregon’s AMBER Alert system, informed MCSO that the circumstances did not meet the criteria required for issuance of an AMBER Alert.

MCSO appreciates the community members and media who helped share the information in this case. In situations such as this, community involvement plays an important role in supporting investigations and generating tips that may assist in locating those involved.

At this time, no further information is available for release.

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MCSO Leads Multi-Agency Initiative To Increase Public Safety Along TriMet Transit Corridors - 02/19/26

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MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – As part of ongoing efforts to increase public safety in North Portland and along transit corridors, TriMet’s Transit Police Division, led by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, coordinated a high-visibility enforcement mission.

High-visibility enforcement, whether through uniformed presence, foot and bicycle patrols, or a strong presence at major events – deters potential crime and increases safety for neighbors as well as TriMet riders and staff.

The effort resulted in the arrest of 16 people along the northern boundaries of the MAX Yellow Line.

The five-hour mission, held on February 12, 2026, targeted livability issues and criminal activity to promote a safer environment.

This mission was part of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) enhanced public safety initiative. It utilized a coordinated approach involving Transit Police, Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct Neighborhood Response Team, MCSO Corrections Transport Unit and MCSO’s Airborne Law Enforcement Support Team (ALEST).

MCSO and Transit Police take a problem-oriented policing strategy focused on identifying and analyzing specific community issues or patterns of disorder that may extend onto the transit system to develop targeted, proactive, long-term solutions.

Of the 16 arrests generated during the operation, the investigations addressed a range of serious offenses, including firearm crimes, drug possession and distribution, felony eluding, the recovery of stolen vehicles, and outstanding warrant services. Investigators also recovered hundreds of dollars in counterfeit money. A photograph of the counterfeit money is being released.  

Transit Police continue to conduct regular enforcement along transit corridors to help maintain a safe environment on the transit system.

 About Transit Police:   

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) leads the multi-agency TriMet Transit Police Division. Transit Police officers and deputies help to ensure a safe transit system by riding trains and buses and visiting platforms and stations. They respond to calls for service and investigate crimes that occur on TriMet property in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. 

Current agencies comprising Transit Police include MCSO, the Portland Police Bureau, Port of Portland Police Department, Beaverton Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, Lake Oswego Police Department, and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. 

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Transit Police Investigating Assault In Downtown Portland, Two People Arrested - 02/17/26

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. (MCSO) – Detectives assigned to TriMet’s Transit Police, led by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, are investigating an assault that occurred in downtown Portland.

This investigation began at approximately 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, when Transit Police and the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) responded to a reported disturbance near Southwest 5th Avenue and Southwest Madison Street.

Transit Police believe a disturbance on a TriMet MAX train escalated into an assault, which then continued onto the sidewalk, based on their preliminary investigation.

The assault left one person with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Paramedics took the man to a hospital with injuries that appear consistent with a stabbing and physical assault.

The two suspects involved in the assault ran away before law enforcement arrived. Just before 11 a.m., officers with PPB found two males near Lincoln High School who matched the suspects’ descriptions.

PPB officers initiated a foot chase. The suspects entered the high school, where officers took them into custody without further incident. There were no injuries to anyone inside Lincoln High School.

The suspects are 15 and 22 years old. It remains under investigation whether either has a connection to Lincoln High School.

At this time, there is no information indicating that the two suspects knew the injured person. The circumstances that led to the assault are still under investigation.

The 15-year-old will be booked into the Multnomah County Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center, and the 22-year-old will be booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center.

No further information is available for release at this time.

About Transit Police:   

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) leads the multi-agency TriMet Transit Police Division. Transit Police officers and deputies help to ensure a safe transit system by riding trains and buses and visiting platforms and stations. They respond to calls for service and investigate crimes that occur on TriMet property in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. 

Current agencies comprising Transit Police include MCSO, the Portland Police Bureau, Port of Portland Police Department, Beaverton Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, Lake Oswego Police Department, and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. 

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