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@WCSOOregon
On April 10, 2019, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies received information from the Forest Grove Police Department that two wanted men were headed towards Aloha in a van with firearms and drugs.
At approximately 2:15 a.m., deputies spotted the gold Chrysler van without license plates near SW Farmington Rd & SW 209th Ave in unincorporated Washington County.
Deputies stopped the van and once they began to approach the vehicle on foot, the driver drove off and headed south towards the Beaverton and Tigard area. The deputy followed and attempted to stop the van using a PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) maneuver, but the driver tried to ram the deputy and was able to get away.
A short time later, the suspect vehicle was spotted at an apartment complex on SW Scholls Ferry Road. K9 officers from both the Beaverton Police Department and Tigard Police Department assisted deputies with searching for the suspects.
As the canine track began, one of the canine officers and deputies heard a large splash in a nearby pond. They quickly noticed Jose Guadalupe Valdez, Jr, 45, of Cornelius, in the pond and took him into custody.
Benito Valdez, 62, of Hillsboro was located approximately a quarter mile away from Jose by a deputy searching the area. After Benito was detained, deputies found a black bag with three guns inside about ten feet away.
The van Jose and Benito were in was searched. Ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and a small amount of methamphetamine and heroin were located.
Both men were lodged at the Washington County Jail.
Benito Valdez is charged with three counts of felon in possession of a weapon, false information to police and an outstanding warrant.
Jose Guadalupe Valdez, Jr is being held on an outstanding warrant as the investigation continues.