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News Releases
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SMP24021607_Items_seized_in_the_service_of_the_search_warrant.jpeg
Detectives arrest one in connection with mail theft, multiple federal charges pending (Photo) -- UPDATE - 03/28/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

DATE: March 26, 2024

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

 

Detectives arrest one in connection with mail theft, multiple federal charges pending

Police to return personal and financial documents collected in the investigation

Updated 03/28/2024 | 2:00 p.m.

Felony Crimes Unit detectives finished sorting through all the documents seized as part of a lengthy mail theft investigation which resulted in the arrest of Ross Benjamin Sierzaga, age 33, of Salem on March 25. 

To help expedite the return of hundreds of personal documents to their rightful owners, a webpage with information has been created. Residents who suspect they may have lost documents through theft can determine if they are on the list of individuals who can recover their property.

Things to know:

  • The web address for the page is salempd.info/document-return
  • If your name is listed, complete the form to start the process of retrieving your property.
  • Items must be picked up by the owner. 
  • The owner must present valid identification, such as your state-issued ID or driver license.
  • You may pick up your property at the Salem Police Station, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address is 333 Division ST NE.
  • Additional instructions are available on the webpage.

All residents should note, any unopened mail collected as part of this investigation will be returned by the US Postmaster. 

Any Salem residents who have been a victim of mail theft but have not yet reported it, should do so at salempd.info/online-report. Theft of mail should also be reported to the US Postal Inspection Service online or by calling 1-877-876-2455.

Detectives urge any victims of identity theft to visit the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website, www.identitytheft.org, for helpful information and recommend an identity theft alert be registered with the three major consumer reporting companies, EquifaxExperian, and TransUnion.

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Originally published 03/26/2024 | 1:30 p.m.

Salem, Ore. — A 33-year-old Salem man was arrested yesterday, March 25, during the service of a warrant at an apartment in southeast Salem.

Salem Police patrol officers arrested Ross Benjamin Sierzega on Monday afternoon without incident on multiple warrants stemming from a nearly two-year investigation by Felony Crimes Unit detectives into incidents of mail theft and related crimes in the Salem area. 

Following the arrest, a search warrant was served in partnership with the United States Postal Inspection Service at Sierzega’s apartment in the 3300 block of Crawford ST SE. The search of the dwelling resulted in the seizure of two lock cores from community mailboxes, several counterfeit mailbox keys and tools to manufacture the counterfeit keys, multiple checks, bank cards, and financial documents not in Sierzega’s name, and approximately 30 pounds of mail. In addition to the evidence collected, detectives seized a short-barreled shotgun and home-made body armor.

Sierzega is currently in custody of the US Marshals Service on federal charges related to this investigation. In addition to 11 outstanding Oregon warrants, Sierzega was charged with the following:

  • Felon in possession of a firearm
  • Unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun
  • Felon in possession of body armor
  • Identity theft
  • Forgery, first-degree
  • Criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree
  • Possession of burglary tools

Sierzega will make his initial appearance in federal court today, March 26, on a federal warrant which was based on charges of mail theft, aggravated identity theft, and bank fraud. Under US Code, manufacture of a counterfeit mail key carries a maximum sentence of 10 years upon conviction. 

Of the investigation, Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack noted, “I know so many residents have been directly impacted in recent years all across our city as victims of this far too prevalent and pernicious crime. The suspect’s arrest hopefully brings some sense of justice to victims and signals to those who would steal mail and commit fraud that we take these crimes seriously.”

The chief of police also commended the collaborative work done by Salem Police detectives and the US postal inspectors involved, “My thanks to the detectives who were relentless in their investigative efforts. I am also grateful for the excellent working relationship we have with the US Postal Inspection Service.”

Felony Crimes Unit detectives will spend the next several weeks reaching out to victims to return stolen property seized in the investigation. The US Postal Inspection Service will handle the processing and return of the stolen mail.

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Early morning collision leaves one deceased, two injured - 03/23/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

DATE: March 23, 2024

 

Early morning collision leaves one deceased, two injured

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police officers responded to a two-vehicle collision early Saturday morning which left one person deceased and two others injured.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. today, emergency responders were called to the intersection of Kuebler BV and Liberty RD S on the report of a two-vehicle collision.

The preliminary investigation by the Salem Police Traffic Team determined the driver of a compact, crossover SUV was travelling eastbound on Kuebler BV and failed to stop for the red-light signal. The compact SUV driven by Joshua Noel Guerra, age 33 of Salem, collided with a northbound SUV crossing the intersection on Liberty RD. The northbound vehicle was driven by 19-year-old Casen Matthew Collins of Salem.

Guerra was found deceased at the scene. Collins and an occupant in his vehicle were transported to Salem Health with non-life-threatening injuries.

Completion of the full investigation by the Traffic Team is pending, and no other information is available for release.

# # #

One deceased and two injured in shooting incident -- UPDATE 3 - 03/10/24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

DATE: March 10, 2024

 

One deceased and two injured in shooting incident

Victim identification update

Update 3/10/2024 | 12:15 p.m.

The final update in this case is the release of the name of the previously unidentified shooting victim. 

The second surviving victim is Roberto Muñoz-Soto, age 16, of Salem. 

With the suspect arrested and in custody of the Marion County Juvenile Department, all further media inquiries into the investigation must go through the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

# # #

Suspect in custody

Update 3/9/2024 | 10:15 a.m.

The suspect in the case has been arrested.

Late Friday evening, March 8, in the company of a parent, Nathaniel Shauntae McCrae Jr. turned himself in at the Salem Police Station and was taken into custody without incident.

The 16-year-old McCrae was transported to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center and lodged on the following charges:

  • Murder in the second degree
  • Attempted murder in the second degree, two counts
  • Assault in the first degree, two counts
  • Unlawful use of a weapon

With the suspect in custody, all further inquiries concerning this investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

# # #

Update 3/8/2024 | 12:15 p.m.

The Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation of the shooting death of a Salem teenager on Thursday afternoon in Bush’s Pasture Park.

The initial investigation revealed two large groups of juveniles were at the park when the gunfire erupted. Officers arrived at the scene quickly and assisted with helping the injured; however, 16-year-old Jose Vazquez-Valenzuela died at the scene. 

Two other teenagers were also struck by bullets. Damian Esquivel-Soto, age 15, and another boy, age 16, were transported to Salem Health for medical treatment. The older teen was subsequently transferred to a Portland-area hospital for further care.

The name of the 16-year-old victim who survived is not being released at this time. “We have been unable to reach the family to notify them. Until we can do so, we will be withholding his name,” said public information officer Angela Hedrick.

Both surviving victims remain hospitalized.

The Upper Leffelle portion of the park was closed for more than six hours for investigation of the crime scene. 

No arrests have been made in the case. Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack noted, “Right now, we are focused solely upon solving this crime, holding the perpetrator(s) accountable, and bringing justice to these victims and their families.

We will, though, have to continue our work with the community to develop an effective intervention and prevention strategy for this intolerable level of violence,” added Womack.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident and has not spoken with Salem Police detectives is asked to call the Salem Police Tips Line at 503-588-8477 and mention case number 24-19870.

# # #

Originally published 3/7/2024 | 1551

 

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police officers are actively working a shooting incident near Bush’s Pasture Park this afternoon.

At approximately 1:45 p.m., officers were called to the area of High and Leffelle STS SE on the report of a shooting incident. Officers located three male victims with gunshot wounds. One victim was found deceased. The remaining two victims, who are juveniles, were transported to Salem Health for medical treatment.

The age of the deceased victim is not yet confirmed. The medical condition of the two surviving victims is unknown.

The portion of the park known as Upper Leffelle is remains closed, and neighbors should avoid the area while officers search for a suspect and the scene is investigated.

Additional information will be published when it becomes available.

# # #

Images from the swearing-in ceremony of Deputy Chief Debra Aguilar
Images from the swearing-in ceremony of Deputy Chief Debra Aguilar
Salem Police promotes veteran officer to deputy chief post (Photo) - 03/08/24

Salem, Ore. — Today, Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack presided over a special ceremony to promote Lieutenant Debra Aguilar to the rank of deputy chief.

Aguilar started with the agency in December 2000 and has served in various assignments since then. While in the Field Operations Division, she worked as a school resource officer at West Salem High School. In 2011, she promoted to the rank of sergeant. Just two years later in 2013, she was again promoted, receiving the rank of lieutenant. In the decade-plus that followed, Aguilar was assigned to several specialty disciplines, such as threat assessment, crisis negotiations, and defensive tactics. She also assisted in several key roles for the department, acting as liaison to the Human Rights Commission and the local non-profit Salem for Refugees. 

The new deputy chief is a graduate of Western Oregon University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. In 2017, Aguilar also attended the prestigious FBI National Academy, a ten-week program that brings together elite law enforcement officers for focused training in a variety of disciplines. Aguilar is also second-generation law enforcement. She followed the career path of her father, a now-retired sergeant with Oregon State Police. 

Aguilar is also the second woman in department history to hold the rank of deputy chief. During the ceremony Chief Womack underscored his trust and confidence in her, and also observed Aguilar “earned her new rank, having served our community for 24 years and passed a rigorous, competitive deputy chief testing process to get here today. And she happens to be a woman in a profession still dominated by men. That is worth noting since coincidentally, she is being promoted in March which is National Women’s History Month.” 

In her assignment as a new division commander, Aguilar will lead the Investigations Division.

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