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On October 27, 2020, at 6:51 p.m., Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a shooting call at the Timber Creek Apartments located at 12220 NW Barnes Road in the Cedar Mill neighborhood. Upon arrival, deputies learned 26-year-old Brandon Brown accidentally shot a firearm into his apartment floor. Mr. Brown's apartment is located on the building's second story, and the bullet traveled into the apartment directly below him, where it went through the mattress and box spring of a bed.
Multiple family members were in the apartment below Mr. Brown's. After talking to the family, deputies learned a 2-year-old boy had been playing in the bedroom where the bullet landed. Fortunately, the 2-year-old boy was uninjured.
Mr. Brown told deputies he had been at a bar earlier in the night, and once he got home, he decided to clean his gun. Mr. Brown said he thought the gun's chamber was clear when he began cleaning it, but it was not. Mr. Brown told deputies he immediately went to check on the family living in the apartment below him after he accidentally fired his gun.
Mr. Brown was visibly intoxicated and admitted to consuming a few beers at the bar before cleaning his gun.
Mr. Brown was issued a citation in-lieu of arrest for Reckless Endangering, and his Smith & Wesson 45 caliber handgun was seized for evidence.
The Washington County Sheriffs Office wants to urge the importance of gun safety. Washington County Sheriff's Office Range Master, Cpl. Dan Muehleck says, "I encourage all firearm owners to exercise caution when handling a gun and treat each gun as if it was loaded."
The Washington County Sheriff's Office recently received its 6th consecutive accreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The Sheriff's Office received the Meritorious Award for being an accredited agency for more than 15 years.
Accreditation is a rigorous ongoing four-year process during which the Sheriff's Office must strictly adhere to policing practices considered excellent on a national level. Administered by CALEA, the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with standards considered to be best policing practices in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.
CALEA Client Service Members reviewed policies and examined procedures to verify compliance every year for four years. At the end of the fourth year, a CALEA team assessed the agency's day-to-day operations of policies and procedures during three days of interviews with leaders, staff of all levels, government leaders, and community partners, including a hearing to solicit public comment.
After confirming standards compliance through file review, observations of agency activities, and interviews, the Commission voted unanimously to award the agency its 6th consecutive accreditation award.
Sheriff Pat Garrett stated, "Now more than ever, the value of a national police accreditation program is being recognized as a genuine agency commitment to professionalism and learning. CALEA standards align with community-oriented policing by requiring agencies to have contemporary policies, train regularly, and build trust with the community through engagement and best practices."
CALEA was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of the following law enforcement's major executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National Sheriffs' Association (NSA), and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).
Pictured (left to right): Commissioner Jerry Willey, Commissioner Pam Treece, Sheriff Pat Garrett, Vice-Chair Dick Schouten, Commissioner Roy Rogers, WCSO Senior Policy Analyst & Accreditation Manager Marcy Allie, Chair Kathryn Harrington)
On Thursday, October 22, 2020, at 11:22 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a three-vehicle crash in the 19200 block of SW TV Highway in Aloha. When they arrived, they saw that a 2003 Ford F-150 had struck a large landscaping boulder on the north side of the road. The impact of the collision propelled the boulder about 75 feet, where it collided with a parked 2004 Toyota Corolla. Two people were in the Corolla at the time. The Ford truck continued another 85 feet, where it went up and over the rear of a 2003 Chevrolet Impala before coming to rest. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The investigation revealed that 18-year-old Ezequiel Garrido-Torres was driving while impaired. Mr. Garrido-Torres was cited for DUII – Controlled Substance, Recklessly Endangering Another Person and Reckless Driving. No booking photo is available at this time. His first court appearance will be on November 24th.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office wishes to remind the public about the dangers of impaired driving. Deputies recommend designating a safe driver prior to any consumption of alcoholic beverages or marijuana. As alternatives, public transportation, taxis and app-based transportation networking companies are readily available in the Portland Metro area.
One victim who was in the Toyota Corolla is willing to speak to the media. Please call or email the PIO to obtain her contact information.
On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at around 6:30 p.m., Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Nicholas San Nicolas during a suspicious circumstances call on SW Sammy Drive in the community of Aloha.
Mr. Nicolas was lodged on the following charges:
- Robbery in the second degree
- Kidnapping in the second degree
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
- Assault in the fourth degree
- Unlawful use of a weapon
- Felon in possession of a weapon
- Menacing
- Reckless driving
- Parole violation
The first vehicle involved in the kidnapping (blue truck) was recovered in August. The second vehicle involved in this case (white truck) was recovered this morning (Wednesday) in the same area where Mr. Nicolas was arrested.
(Original Release Below)
Detectives Seek Public's Help in Locating Armed Kidnapping Suspects
August 27, 2020
On Thursday, August 27, 2020, at 3:30 p.m., Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the Forest Ridge Apartments located at 7330 SW 204th Avenue in the community of Aloha. Deputies learned that a 22-year-old male was standing outside his apartment when two men approached with guns drawn. Deputies learned that 31-year-old Nicholas San Nicolas forced the victim into the victim's Nissan truck and drove off. San Nicolas' accomplice followed San Nicolas in a 2016 or 2017 dark blue BMW Z3.
One of the victim's family members suspected the victim had been taken and began driving around the area looking for the victim's vehicle. Less than 10 minutes after the kidnapping, the family members saw the Nissan truck near the intersection of SW 185th Avenue and SW Farmington Road. The family member saw that the victim was in danger and subsequently rammed the Nisan truck. Shortly after getting rammed, San Nicolas pushed the victim out of the Nissan truck and onto the road near the intersection. The victim was later transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
San Nicolas drove off in the victim's Nissan truck, described as a late 90's body style, with red seats, and purple straps in the bed.
San Nicolas is a male Pacific Islander, approximately 5' 4" tall and weighing 230 pounds. His hair is currently long and tied in a ponytail.
San Nicolas' accomplice is also an adult male Pacific Islander. Both San Nicolas and his accomplice are wanted for several crimes, including kidnapping in the first degree, felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, menacing, and an outstanding felony warrant.
San Nicolas and his accomplice are considered armed and dangerous. If you have information about the location of San Nicolas or the identity of his accomplice, please call 911. The Washington County Sheriff's Office urges community members not to approach either male.
On Friday, October 9, 2020, at 9:49 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a shooting in the 7100 block of SW Millenium Terrace in Aloha.
Family members of 3-year-old James Kenneth Lindquester called 911 to report James had gotten a handgun out of a bedroom end table drawer and shot himself in the head. Deputies along with Metro West and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue took over life-saving efforts from the family. James was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased just before midnight.
Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit and the Special Investigations Unit responded to the scene and the investigation is on-going. An autopsy will be conducted on October 10 at the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.
James’ family requested the attached photos be included with this media release.
On September 26, 2020, a deputy shot their firearm at Mr. Carter after pointing a rifle at the deputy. The Washington County Major Crimes Team has identified Deputy B. Winders as the deputy who fired their weapon at Mr. Carter. A photo of the rifle Mr. Carter used is attached.
Deputy Winders has been with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office since 2017 and has a total of seven years of law enforcement experience.
In line with standard protocol, Deputy Winders is on modified duty.
The Washington County Major Crimes Team continues to investigate the incident, and no other details will be released at this time.
On Saturday, September 26, 2020, at 10:00 pm, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a neighbor dispute in the area of SW Cascadia Street and SW Cascadia Court in Aloha.
The caller stated that his neighbor, 39-year-old Breck Carter, was on his property after being trespassed the day prior by deputies.
At 10:29 pm, deputies arrived and attempted to make contact with Mr. Carter. When Mr. Carter saw deputies arrive, he ran inside his home. Deputies knocked on the door and tried to speak to Mr. Carter.
When deputies knocked on the front door, Mr. Carter presented a firearm and pointed it at several deputies through a window. Deputies backed away and attempted to contain the home while waiting for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT) and the Crisis Negotiations Unit (CNU).
At 10:39 pm, a deputy on containment observed Mr. Carter point a firearm at him through a window, and the deputy shot through the window at Mr. Carter. No one was struck when the deputy fired his weapon.
Crisis Negotiators were able to contact Mr. Carter, and he was taken into custody at 12:53 am. Deputies transported Mr. Carter to a local hospital for treatment for an unrelated injury. Mr. Carter was lodged at the Washington County Jail on several charges to include:
- Harassment
- Unlawful Use of Weapon x3
- Menacing x3
The names of the deputies involved will not be released at this time.
The Washington County Major Crimes Team is leading the investigation.