West Salem Ace Hardware Burglar Sentenced To Four Years In Prison. - 12/04/25

DALLAS (OR) – Tristan Lewis Sillman, has been sentenced to four years (48 months) in prison for breaking into the West Salem Ace Hardware store and attempting to steal merchandise.

Sillman, 27, was sentenced in Polk County Circuit Court by Judge pro tempore Timothy R. Park after pleading guilty to Burglary in the First Degree, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, and Attempted Theft in the First Degree. Sillman will also be required to serve a 36-month term of post-prison supervision after his release from prison and pay $1,267.22 restitution to the victims. During the sentencing hearing, the victims made a statement to the court and the defendant about the harmful impact of the crime on them as small business owners.

The plea and sentencing stemmed from an October 29, 2025 incident, in which multiple Salem police officers responded a burglary in progress call at the West Salem Ace Hardware. Sillman was located inside the building after breaking a window with a screw driver. He had made a pile of items including tools and portable heaters that he was going to take out of the store.

The case was investigated by the Salem Police Department and prosecuted by Polk County Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Wilson.

Six-year Prison Sentence Handed Down In 2023 Independence Bank Robbery. - 11/21/25

DALLAS (OR) – Micah James Wilson, 22, has been sentenced to serve 72 months (6 years) in prison for the armed robbery of the Umpqua Bank branch in Independence.  

Wilson, who is currently serving a 135-month prison sentence for robbery and other related crimes, was sentenced today by Polk County Circuit Judge Timothy Park, after pleading guilty to the sole count of Robbery in the Second Degree arising from the 2023 incident in which he threatened the bank’s employees and ultimately got away with $2,636 in cash. Judge Park ordered that Wilson’s sentence be served consecutively to his prison sentence and that he serves 3 years of Post-Prison Supervision upon his release.

The case was investigated by detectives and officers of the Independence, Salem, and Lincoln City Police Departments. It was prosecuted by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Garrett Lewellen.

Albany Man Sentenced To 7 Years In West Salem Attempted Robbery, Meth And Stolen Gun Case. - 11/18/25

DALLAS (OR) – Ruben Robert Navarro-Herrera, 31, has been sentenced to serve 85 months (7 years, 1 month) in prison for attempting to rob a West Salem man outside of his residence. After fleeing the scene, Navarro-Herrera was quickly located and apprehended by Salem Police officers with the assistance of alert citizens. Upon investigation, it was determined Navarro-Herrera was in possession of a loaded stolen firearm and commercial level quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Navarro-Herrera, of Albany, was sentenced by Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael Caso, after pleading guilty to Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Commercial Drug Offense), and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. After Navarro-Herrera leaves prison, he will be required to serve a 35 month term of Post-Prison Supervision.

The case was investigated by the Salem Police Department. It was prosecuted by Polk County Deputy District Attorney Garrett Lewellen.

Polk County District Attorney’s Office Issues Statement In West Salem Roth’s Parking Lot Incident. - 11/07/25

DALLAS (OR) - After a thorough review of the investigative materials provided by the Salem Police Department, the Polk County District Attorney’s Office has elected not to pursue criminal charges related to an incident that occurred on October 19, 2025 in the parking lot of the Roth’s Fresh Markets on Wallace Avenue in West Salem.

In reaching this decision, the District Attorney’s Office reviewed statements taken from both participants in the incident, numerous investigative reports, as well as scene video taken from multiple angles of the incident. The totality of that documentation reveals that Mr. Luis Velasquez was the aggressor in this verbal and physical incident. The evidence shows that after Mr. Velasquez verbally initiated the confrontation, he brandished a knife at the other subject and intentionally attempted to damage that person’s vehicle by puncturing the tires prior to that other person attempting to drive away.

Mr. Velasquez sustained serious, life-threatening injuries when he was struck by the vehicle driven by the other participant. However, the evidence supports the conclusion that the actions of the driver were in reaction to the aggressive and threatening behavior of Mr. Velasquez. Further, after leaving the parking lot, the driver of the vehicle reached out to public safety officials and shortly thereafter turned himself into the Salem Police Department. Once there, he cooperated with the investigation, including allowing detectives to examine the involved vehicle.

Under this set of circumstances, and based on the evidence as currently known, the State would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the conduct here constituted a criminal offense.

The investigation undertaken by the Salem Police Department into this matter was exhaustive and comprehensive. Dozens of hours were spent by detectives and officers in seeking answers to what had transpired. The District Attorney’s Office is deeply appreciative of their professionalism and commitment to our community.