Douglas Co. Sheriff's Office
Emergency Messages as of 10:23 pm, Mon. Mar. 18
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News Releases
A Douglas County Search and Rescue Volunteer searches for Rachel Merchant-Ly recently
A Douglas County Search and Rescue Volunteer searches for Rachel Merchant-Ly recently
DCSO and SAR Continue Efforts to Locate Rachel Merchant-Ly (Photo) - 03/17/24

𝐈𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐘𝐋𝐃 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊, 𝐎𝐫𝐞. - Search and Rescue efforts continue in the search for Rachel Merchant-Ly, a Glide Elementary kindergarten teacher whose vehicle was found crashed in the North Umpqua River.

Merchant-Ly was reported missing on Thursday, February 29th when she didn't arrive at school. A Douglas County Sheriff's deputy located signs of a motor vehicle crash near milepost 41 on Highway 138E.

On Friday, March 1, 2024, Merchant-Ly's vehicle was recovered from the North Umpqua River, but she was not found inside.

Since that time, nearly 300 hours volunteer hours of searching has taken place. Douglas County Search and Rescue has been using various methods of searching to include drone, ground and K9. The Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol has conducted water searches as well. Volunteers have searched along the riverbank from the crash site to Idleyld Park Trading Post; approximately 21 miles.

"We all want to find Mrs. Merchant-Ly and return her to her family," Sheriff John Hanlin said. "Our deputies are in constant communication with her family and providing them with updates as to our efforts. We will continue searching and using all means necessary to accomplish our mission," Hanlin added.

In addition to the efforts of DCSO and Search and Rescue volunteers, several community members have been actively looking for Merchant-Ly.

"We are aware of rafting guides and groups of rafters who have been launching all in an attempt to assist in finding her. We have also been contacting community members who are walking along the North Umpqua Trail and the highway," Hanlin said. "As always this community steps forward to care for each other."

As the weather turns more springlike, the Sheriff's Office encourages those recreating around the area to be aware Merchant-Ly is still missing and to report anything which may assist in concluding this missing person case.

Snow Creek Mission 3
Snow Creek Mission 3
Santa Rosa Man Rescued by SAR After Following GPS to Avoid Travel Delays (Photo) - 03/03/24

AZALEA, Ore. - On March 2, 2024, shortly after midnight, Douglas County 9-1-1 received a text-to-911 from an individual stating he had gotten stuck in snow after following his GPS and was in need of assistance.

Deputies learned 34-year-old Juan Carlos Torres-Esquivel of Santa Rosa, California had purchased a 1996 Ford F150 in Corvallis and was enroute to his residence in Santa Rosa when he encountered weather related delays on I-5. Google maps recommended a detour which he selected that instructed him to take exit 88, drive east on Upper Cow Creek for approximately 13 miles, and turn south onto Snow Creek Rd.

Torres-Esquivel made it approximately 5 miles up Snow Creek Road before sliding the passenger side of the vehicle into a deep ditch and getting the vehicle stuck in approximately 24" of snow. He was unprepared for the conditions and was unsuccessful in attempting to dig the vehicle out without a shovel.

Douglas County Search and Rescue was activated and responded to assist. SAR responded and was unable to make it to his location with the Snowcat due to a U-Haul truck being abandoned approximately 2 or 3 miles up Snow Creek Rd in the middle of the roadway. Members of the 4x4 team were able to maneuver around the U-Haul after airing down their tires and retrieved Torres-Esquivel.

Deputies provided Torres-Esquivel a courtesy ride to Seven Feathers.

The Sheriff's Office would like to remind drivers of the dangers of blindly following GPS devices.

"GPS devices are often set to direct drivers through the fastest route to their destination. Oftentimes, this means direction through non-maintained road systems, including forest roads," Lt. Brad O'Dell said. "Blindly following GPS navigation can potentially lead to dangerous situations and have serious consequences. Although travel delays can be disruptive, it is best to remain on routes that are maintained."

K9 Eros
K9 Eros
K9 Eros Tracks Down Stolen Vehicle Elude Suspect (Photo) - 03/02/24

OAKLAND, Ore. - On Friday, March 1, 2024, shortly after 2:30 p.m., Sutherlin Police Department attempted to stop a stolen 2017 Nissan Rogue on W. Central Avenue near Ponderosa Drive in Sutherlin. The suspect failed to stop and attempted to elude officers in the stolen vehicle.

The suspect crashed and fled on foot in the 600-block of Fawn Ridge Drive in Oakland. A perimeter was established and a Sheriff’s Office K9 was requested to respond to the scene.

K9 Eros responded and began to track the suspect from his last known location. During the track, Eros located clothing that had been worn by the suspect. K9 Eros eventually lead officers to a red pump house indicating the suspect was inside. Deputies began giving announcements that the suspect had been located by the K9 and should surrender. The suspect, 50-year-old Kevin Wade Davison of Roseburg, opened the door to the pump house and gave up without further incident.

Davison was taken into custody and lodged at the Douglas County Jail by Sutherlin Police Officers on their case.

K9 Eros, a 4.5-year-old German Shepherd, has been with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office since November 2021. He was purchased by an anonymous donor in the community and gifted to the agency. The Sheriff's Office K9 program, consisting of three Patrol K9 teams and 1 narcotics K9 team, is supported financially by private donations and the Friends of Umpqua Valley Police K9 Programs, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support local police K9 teams. Bailey's Veterinary Clinic provides medical care and some food for the Sheriff's Office K9 program while Coastal Farm and Home Supply provides all other food. The agency’s current K9 program has been highly active since 2013.
 

Attached Media Files: K9 Eros
Fatal Traffic Crash Claims Life of Riddle Teen - 03/02/24

MYRTLE CREEK, Ore. - A Riddle teenager died Friday evening in a single vehicle crash.

On March 1, 2024, at approximately 10:30 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a single vehicle crash with injuries in the 15000-block of North Myrtle Road in Myrtle Creek.

Deputies arrived on scene to find a 2006 Mazda sedan which had been traveling westbound at a high rate of speed in poor weather conditions. The driver, 17-year-old Brooke Leeann Dubuc of Myrtle Creek, lost control of the vehicle which rolled several times before striking a tree. A passenger, 17-year-old Jonathan Wylie Rosenstiel of Riddle, was ejected from the vehicle and trapped under the car when it came to rest. Rosenstiel was pronounced deceased at the scene by EMS. A second passenger, 19-year-old Canyonville resident Avorie Dunsmore, was able to self-extricate from the vehicle. Both Dubuc and Dunsmore were transported to Mercy Medical Center by Ambulance.

The investigation is ongoing at this time. Anyone with information related to the actions of the individuals involved prior to the crash is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at (541) 440-4471 referencing case #24-1140.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Myrtle Creek Police Department, Douglas County District Attorney's Office, Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Myrtle Creek Fire Department and Joe's Towing. 

Threat at UCC Determined Not Credible, Originated Outside of United States - 02/26/24

ROSEBURG, Ore. On Monday, February 26, 2024, the Sheriff's Office was notified by Umpqua Community College staff of a security threat to the campus. In an effort to prioritize the safety of students, staff and faculty, the College elected to cancel all classes, events, and activities until further notice. 

The Sheriff's Office is working in partnership with the College regarding the threat. There is an increased law enforcement presence on the campus today. 

“The Sheriff's Office takes seriously any threat directed toward the safety of our schools, whether kindergarten or higher education institutions," Sheriff Hanlin said. “The Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the FBI, has determined the source of the email originated from outside the country. At this time the threatening email is not considered credible, and there is no immediate threat to the college.”

The specifics of the security threat will not be released by the Sheriff's Office in order to protect the integrity of the investigation. 

"We are committed to taking all necessary precautions to ensure safe learning and working environments for everyone. We understand that this closure may cause inconvenience to the academic and personal lives of our community, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding," said UCC President, Dr. Rachel Pokrandt.

Anyone with information may contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 541-440-4471.