Missing Person Update: Ben Andersen Has Been Located - 07/15/26

This afternoon, with the help of the FBI Criminal Investigations Division and U.S. Forest Service out of Randle, Washington, a coordinated search located Ben Andersen near his last known location on NFD Road 25 in Skamania County. Ben was found with the Chevy Equinox he was driving at the bottom of a ravine. Skamania County Search and Rescue is assisting with Ben’s recovery, and his family has been notified of his death. Ben’s family has asked for privacy at this time.

We are grateful for the community support and for the partner agencies that assisted in the search efforts for Ben.

Original Alert:

Missing Person Alert: Benjamin “Ben” Curtis Andersen  

Deputies are seeking help locating Ben Andersen, 37, of unincorporated Washington County. Ben's last GPS location was on May 18, 2026, near NFD Road 25 near Mt. St. Helens in Washington State. Ben is believed to have been training for the “Bigfoot 200”, an extensive outdoor competitive race, and has not been heard from. Initial search efforts have been unsuccessful.

Ben is 6’ tall and approximately 210 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. Ben was associated with a white 2025 Chevy Equinox with a Washington license plate of CST3509. The vehicle also has not been located.

If you have seen Ben or have information on his whereabouts, please call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 or 9-1-1 if appropriate, and reference Ben Andersen and case number 50-26-8356. 

Man Found Deceased Inside Cornelius Residential Fire - 07/08/26

On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 7:45 a.m., Cornelius deputies responded to a residential fire at 1378 Baseline Street. Deputies closed the road to traffic while the fire departments worked to extinguish the fire. 

After the firefighters controlled the fire, investigators were able to enter the home and found a man deceased inside. The Medical Examiner determined the identity of the man as 68-year-old Jerome “Jerry” Milliken, a resident of the home. Jerry’s family has been notified of his death.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office are working with the fire investigator to determine the cause of the fire. The investigation is ongoing, and there have been no arrests.  

If you have any information and have yet to speak with detectives, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 503-846-2500 and reference case number 57-26-761.  

Deputies Arrest Wanted Man, Assisted By K9 And DFR (Photo) - 07/06/26

On Thursday, July 2, 2026, at about 1:45 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies learned a man wanted in connection with several open criminal investigations was spotted by a caller near SW 202nd Terrance and SW Kim Place in Aloha. Deputies requested assistance from a K9 and a Drone as a First Responder (DFR) to help take him into custody.

While deputies were preparing to contact the man, 37-year-old Carlton Morris of Aloha, he ran from a stolen vehicle and tried to escape capture. Deputies chased Morris through the neighborhood in a short foot pursuit, with the drone providing updates about his movements.

Deputies caught up with Morris after he jumped a fence and tried hiding in front of a residence on SW 203rd Court. Morris was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital to treat injuries sustained from a dog bite and taser deployment.

Morris was then taken to the Washington County Jail, where he was lodged for the following:

• Unlawful use of a motor vehicle
• Unlawful entry into a motor vehicle
• Identity theft
• Fraudulent use of a credit card
• Warrant from the Oregon State Parole Board
• Theft in the third degree – Tigard Police Department

The Sheriff's Office is grateful for the community member’s tip. If you have information about this incident and have not spoken to deputies, please contact the Sheriff's Office through non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-26-9258. 

Video available on Facebook and IG. 

Deputies Make 34 Arrests During Bait Bike Mission (Photo) - 06/30/26

Since April 2026, Washington County Sheriff’s Office graveyard deputies have used a bait bike at multiple locations in Aloha. The bait bike has been repeatedly stolen and, shortly after, recovered by deputies, leading to arrests.

Deputies deploy the bait bike in well-traveled areas and monitor the built-in concealed GPS alarms. When the bike is taken, the alarm notifies the deputies monitoring the beacon, and they move in to recover the stolen bike.

Since introducing the bait bike in mid-April, 34 arrests have been made, leading to the discovery of several individuals with outstanding warrants for arrest and the possession of controlled substances.

The bait bike program is designed to combat property theft and uses a traditional mountain bike as bait. Bicycle owners are encouraged to secure their bikes in a safe location and keep records of their serial numbers to aid deputies investigating thefts.

Sheriff’s Office deputies continue to look for ways to keep Washington County safe and embrace technology as a tool to improve public safety. If you witness suspicious activity, the Sheriff's Office encourages you to call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 or 9-1-1 when appropriate. 

Additional media available on Facebook and IG. 

Detectives Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting - 06/24/26

On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 12:48 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to 19525 SW Tualatin Valley Highway for a report of a man damaging the windows of the business.

An officer-involved shooting took place and is being investigated by the Washington County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Team (MCT). No injuries have been reported, and a suspect is in custody.

The District Attorney’s Office assigns the primary investigating agency, and all further investigative inquiries should be directed to that agency. The Beaverton Police Department will investigate this incident.  

Typo on date of 2024 corrected to say 2026.

Detectives Investigate Fatal Shooting In Gaston - 06/21/26

On Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 9:16 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies and officers from the Forest Grove Police Department responded to a shooting near the 400 block of Vista Ridge Court in Gaston. Multiple people called 9-1-1 to report that a person was shot. Law enforcement arrived on scene and detained the involved shooter, Christopher Maller, 48, of Beaverton.

Neighbors and responders rendered aid to the victim, 42-year-old Christopher Serafin, but he died of his injuries at the scene. Detectives from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit responded to lead the investigation. Investigators interviewed multiple witnesses and learned that the shooting occurred after an altercation between Maller and Serafin. 

Maller was charged with murder in the second degree and was lodged in the Washington County Jail. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are likely. Serafin’s family has been notified of his death. 

If you witnessed this incident and have not spoken with detectives, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 503-846-2500 and reference case number 50-26-8646.

Deputies Arrest Man Attempting To Burglarize A Home (Photo) - 06/18/26

On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 4:48 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a criminal mischief near the 5000 block of NW 171st Place in unincorporated Washington County.

The 9-1-1 caller reported finding window screens removed, damage to the window casing, and an unknown man in the backyard. The suspected burglar ran off with the caller’s husband chasing him while she relayed information to dispatch. The man attacked the caller’s husband, causing minor injuries, and took his keys, before continuing to run away.

Multiple deputies, K9 teams, and drone operators responding to search for the man contained the area. Deputy Oien and K9 Rexx tracked the man as he ran through neighboring properties, jumped fences, ran across a roof, and through another home, before being captured by a deputy near the 1700 block of NW Countryridge Drive.

The man, identified as 20-year-old Favian Rincon of Portland, was transported to jail and lodged for the following:

• Attempt to commit burglary
• Assault in the fourth degree
• Criminal mischief in the first degree
• Criminal trespass in the first degree
• Theft in the third degree

If you have information about this incident and have not spoken to deputies, please contact the Sheriff’s Office through non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-26-8482. 

******** Video Released on Facebook