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On Wednesday, July 8, 2020, at 12:20 p.m., Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a burglary call located at an apartment complex near the 18200 block of NW Heritage Parkway. Deputies learned a nine-year-old girl was in her living room and noticed a man walking in the green space behind her apartment. The man saw the girl looking at him and began walking towards the back door of her apartment. He then walked in the unlocked sliding glass door and confronted the girl in her living room.
The man began yelling at her for watching him and punched her two separate times - once in the left shoulder and once in the groin area. The girl sustained minor injuries.
The victim's seven-year-old brother witnessed the man leaving the back door of the apartment.
A canine track was attempted, but the man was not located.
The man is described as a black male, 18 to 25 years old, six feet tall, and was wearing blue jeans and a red hooded sweatshirt with the word "Gap" on the front.
If anyone knows the identity of the man or saw him in the area during the incident, deputies ask you to call non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.
On Friday, July 3, 2020 at 11:35 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies assigned to the city of Cornelius were dispatched to a report of a man with a gun in the 100 block of South Magnolia Avenue.
The first deputy arrived just three minutes after the initial 911 call, but the suspect had already left in a vehicle. The victims told deputies that a man who was known to them came to their front door and threatened them with a semi-automatic handgun that had an extended magazine.
At 12:04 p.m., a patrol sergeant located the suspect vehicle in the Rock Creek area of Washington County. A man matching the suspect’s description jumped out of the car and ran. After a short foot pursuit, he was detained.
The man was identified as 22-year-old Jalen Jerome Traylor. A semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine was located inside the suspect’s vehicle.
Mr. Traylor was booked into the Washington County Jail on the following charges:
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Menacing
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon
During the final week of June 2020, two serious incidents involving people in crisis were resolved peacefully by Sheriff’s Office deputies, saving the lives of two individuals in our community.
Shortly after 11pm on Monday, June 29th, a 16-year-old girl was reported to be at the top of the parking structure across the street from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office location at 215 SW Adams Avenue in Hillsboro. Before police arrived, several deputies from the Washington County Jail quickly responded to the location. After several minutes of speaking with the girl, our deputies were able to secure her from the outside railing where she was preparing to jump. The quick actions by these jail deputies undoubtedly saved her life.
The following afternoon, another female was on the top floor of the parking structure in similar circumstances. WCSO Jail Commander Caprice Massey was first on the scene and discovered the woman in crisis communicated using sign language. Commander Massey, who luckily knows sign language, was able to communicate with her along with a member of our Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU). They were eventually able to convince the woman to climb back over the railing to safety.
We are grateful for the good work our jail deputies and staff did this week to save the lives of two people experiencing a mental health crisis.
There are compassionate resources available in our community. Washington County has experienced mental health professionals ready to support you or a loved one at no cost. Just call 503-291-9111.
Learn more about mental health support in Washington County: bit.ly/WC_Crisis
On Friday, June 26, 2020, the Washington County Medical Examiner identified the human remains found on Saturday, June 20th near North Plains as Allyson Watterson.
No final cause of death has been determined and detectives will continue to follow up on any tips that come in on this case.
The Sheriff’s Office offers our sincerest condolences to the family as they have faced unthinkable circumstances for the past six months since Allyson was first reported missing.
We’d also like to thank everyone who helped in the extensive search efforts and to those who provided valuable tips and information to our investigators during this time.
(Original Release Below)
Human Remains Discovered Near North Plains
June 20, 2020
On Saturday June 20, 2020, at 4:53 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to investigate found human remains on a property in the 15800 block of NW Corey Road in unincorporated North Plains. The property owner called after making the discovery while clearing brush.
Detectives responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Based on the location of the remains and evidence found at the scene, detectives suspect the remains are those of Allyson Watterson. Ms. Watterson has been missing since December 2019. The Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office will work to identify the remains.
The family of Ms. Watterson has been notified of the discovery and are asking for privacy.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available for release.
Yesterday, the Washington County District Attorney's Office presented additional evidence to a grand jury related to Deputy Rian Alden's use of force incident. The Grand Jury returned a charge of assault in the second degree (2 counts), unlawful use of a weapon, and official misconduct. As a reminder, evidence in the case cannot be released until the case is adjudicated.
This morning, Rian Alden turned himself in to the Washington County Jail where he was booked and then lodged in the Columbia County Jail for safety reasons. Bail is set at $250,000. Rian Alden continues to be on administrative leave.
In March 2018, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation on a concerning use of force incident in the jail. Jail Deputy Rian Alden, employed since 2007, used force on an arrestee during booking. The incident was flagged for additional review by a supervisor, and subsequently, the Sheriff’s Office requested an outside agency conduct the investigation. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police investigated the incident and forwarded their conclusions to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. At that time, the District Attorney’s Office lacked sufficient evidence to prosecute Rian Alden and did not proceed with charges.
On May 31, 2020, the Sheriff’s Office received a concerning email alleging Rian Alden engaged in online communication, which contained racial epithets in December 2003. In response, the Sheriff’s Office immediately placed him on administrative leave and initiated a personnel investigation. When the Washington County District Attorney’s Office learned of the email, they re-opened the criminal case against the deputy.
Earlier today, the District Attorney’s Office presented the case to a grand jury who returned a charge of Official Misconduct in the First Degree (A Misdemeanor). Consistent with legal obligations in any active criminal proceeding, evidence in the case cannot be released until after the case is adjudicated.
Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett states, “Given new information available in this case, I understand and support the District Attorney’s decision to present the evidence to a grand jury. I thank the grand jury for their time and respect their decision.”
In a little more than 24 hours over the weekend, deputies were called to three significant crashes, which led to two deaths and one juvenile being charged. In every crash, alcohol is suspected to be a factor, and the people in the vehicles were ejected.
The first crash happened on Friday, June 19, 2020, at 10:23 p.m. in the 53000 block of SW Patton Valley Road. The 38-year-old driver was flown to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The second crash happened on Saturday at 3:23 a.m. in the 36000 block of NW Long Road. The 25-year-old driver died at the scene due to injuries sustained from the crash.
On Saturday at 11:23 p.m., deputies responded to an injury crash near the intersection of SW Hillsboro Highway and SW Bald Peak Road. Deputies found a white 2005 Nissan 350Z had left the roadway and rolled multiple times. Both juvenile occupants in the vehicle were ejected. The female passenger died at the scene due to injuries sustained from the crash, and the male driver was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Deputies spoke to witnesses of the crash who were following the Nissan. The witnesses knew the driver and passenger and told deputies they suspected the driver was drunk. Deputies later determined the driver had a blood-alcohol level more than two times the legal limit. Speed also appears to be a significant factor in the crash.
The male driver is currently facing charges of manslaughter, DUI, and reckless driving. Additional charges may be filed in the future. Oregon law prohibits his name from being released.
The Washington County Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) is assisting in the investigation of all three crashes. CART is a multi-agency team of specially trained law enforcement officers from agencies throughout Washington County.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that's one person every 50 minutes. These deaths have fallen by a third in the last three decades; however, drunk-driving crashes claim more than 10,000 lives per year.
Deputies want to remind everyone to never operate a vehicle after drinking alcohol or the use of any drug. The legal blood alcohol content for driving under the influence is .08; for most, this equates to just a few drinks.
On Saturday June 20, 2020, at 4:53 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to investigate found human remains on a property in the 15800 block of NW Corey Road in unincorporated North Plains. The property owner called after making the discovery while clearing brush.
Detectives responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Based on the location of the remains and evidence found at the scene, detectives suspect the remains are those of Allyson Watterson. Ms. Watterson has been missing since December 2019. The Washington County Medical Examiner’s Office will work to identify the remains.
The family of Ms. Watterson has been notified of the discovery and are asking for privacy.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available for release.
June 20, 2020
The suspect in this case, 39-year-old Lisa Akers, was taken into custody early this morning in Grant County, Oregon.
Detectives have identified the deceased victim as 25-year-old Kara M. Ewing, of Cherry Grove. The survivor of the shooting is a 41-year-old man from Hillsboro. He remains hospitalized but is expected to survive.
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On Friday, June 19, 2020, at 7:17 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a shooting at a residence near SW Lepley Lane and SW Midway Road in unincorporated Hillsboro. A person called 911 to report that at least two adults were shot at the home and that the suspect had fled the scene.
When deputies arrived, they found one person deceased and one person with life-threatening injuries. Deputies and officers provided aid to the injured person until medical personnel arrived on scene. The injured person was taken via helicopter to an area hospital. Their current condition is unknown.
Deputies believe that all of the involved people were known to each other. The search for the suspect is ongoing.
Detectives from Washington County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit responded, along with the Washington County Forensic Science Unit.
On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at 7:21 p.m, a Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on patrol in the community of Aloha when she observed a male speeding in a white Ford F-150 in the area of SW Blanton Street and SW 170th Avenue. When the deputy attempted to stop the truck, the driver sped away and ran a red light. Deputies did not pursue for safety reasons. During the investigation, it was determined that the truck had been stolen earlier in the week during a burglary of an auto repair shop. A deputy recognized the driver of the stolen truck to be 26-year-old Ahmed Sadiq, of Aloha.
On June 11, 2020, a deputy was on patrol in the same area when she noticed the same white Ford F-150 parked in an apartment complex parking lot with Mr. Sadiq inside. Deputies took Mr. Sadiq into custody. They also arrested a passenger in the truck, 28-year-old Ethan Alexander, of Aloha. Inside of the stolen truck, deputies found keys to another car stolen during the auto shop burglary. They found that stolen car in the same parking lot.
Mr. Sadiq was booked into the Washington County Jail on the following charges:
- Aggravated theft in the first degree
- Burglary in the second degree
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (4 counts)
- Attempting to elude police officer- felony
- Reckless driving
- Theft in the third degree
- Parole violation
Mr. Alexander was issued a criminal citation for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
On Thursday, June 11, 2020, at 8:54 p.m., a Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to reports of a suspected drunk driver near SW 184th Avenue and SW Blanton Street in the community of Aloha. After observing the driver swerving through the streets, nearly hitting a few parked cars along the side of the road, the deputy attempted to stop the car. The driver of a silver Toyota Corolla initially pulled over, but then decided to take off before contacting the deputy.
During a short pursuit, the driver was observed speeding down SW Farmington Road, failing to slow down or stop for stop signs and red lights. At one point, the driver crashed the car into a ditch while attempting to turn onto SW Rosa Road, but then backed up and continued to drive away.
For safety reasons, the pursuit was terminated, but a short time later, deputies observed the suspect’s car crashed into a parked car near SW Rosa Road and SW 195th Avenue.
Upon arriving at the suspect’s car, deputies observed the driver holding a knife. While ignoring commands to drop the knife, the driver proceeded to stab himself in the stomach, and then again in the chest. Deputies were able to remove the driver from the car and provide the man with access to emergency medical care.
The man was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries where he remains in critical condition. During a search of the man’s vehicle, a large amount of cash, marijuana and needles were found inside. The man is being charged with DUII, attempt to elude, reckless driving, reckless endangering, and failure to perform the duties of a driver.
On June 11, 2020, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office email list was accessed by an unauthorized individual. This database of email addresses was used to send a fake version of our “WCSO News” email newsletter. The information contained in the fake email is inflammatory and does not further the conversation or help the frustration and concerns our community is feeling in regard to police brutality and race relations. We apologize for the unauthorized spam messages.