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News Release

Two Arrested In ATM Jackpotting Attempt (Photo) -07/29/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: July 29, 2025

Two arrested in ATM jackpotting attempt

Salem, Ore. — Felony Crimes Unit detectives arrested two men this afternoon for their involvement in the breaching an automated teller machine (ATM).

Just before 3:00 a.m. this morning, Umpqua Bank security personnel reported two men tampering with an ATM at 550 Center ST NE. The surveillance recording showed the suspects used a key to access the inside of the machine and then took photographs of the internal components. The suspects then left the scene.

Approximately 30 minutes later, officers apprehended the suspects, Brandon Lee Ramirez, age 26 of California, and Jhonathan Vargas-Yanten, age 31 of Washington, who had returned to the bank. Inside the suspect vehicle, officers recovered a functional ATM key, several smart phones, computer devices and adapters, tools, and license plates.

Ramirez and Vargas-Yanten were arrested, each on the following charges:

  • Aggravated theft, first-degree (attempted)
  • Criminal mischief, third-degree
  • Computer crime (attempted)
  • Possession of a burglary tool or theft device

Both suspects are in custody at the Marion County Jail and await arraignment at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

The investigation is ongoing, and all inquiries into the case must be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

The Salem Police Department extends its thanks to the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Portland Office for lending their expertise to this jackpotting investigation. Jackpotting is a term for the unlawful installation of malware to bypass the authorized transaction process, prompting the ATM to dispense money on command. Although jackpotting does not directly affect consumer accounts, banks are the primary victims in this scheme.

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Moving Train Strikes, Kills Man On Tracks — UPDATE: Victim Identified -07/28/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: July 28, 2025

Victim identified

Update published at 1000:

The person who died in the Saturday morning train collision is identified as Robert Ivar Jeffers, age 66, of Salem.

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Originally published 07/26/2025 | 1455

Moving train strikes, kills man on tracks

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police officers responded to the area of McGilchrist ST and Pringle RD SE at approximately 11:00 a.m. after Union Pacific personnel called to report a collision with a person on the railroad tracks.

A rail crew traveling southbound on the line reported a man walking on the tracks in front of the oncoming train. The rail crew used various measures to get the man’s attention and stop the train, but the collision could not be avoided as the man did not move for unknown reasons.

The 66-year-old man was declared deceased at the scene. His name is not being released pending notification to his family.

Streets were closed to east and westbound traffic between McGilchrist ST and Mill ST SE until approximately 2:30 p.m. when the train released from the scene.

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Three Arrested After Shots Fired In South Salem––UPDATE: Fourth Suspect In Custody (Photo) -07/12/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

UPDATE: July 12, 2025

CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Fourth suspect in custody

A fourth suspect has been taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation into an incident of gunfire that erupted the evening of June 30 in the parking lot of a south Salem fast food eatery.

A 17-year-old boy was taken into custody without incident on July 11 at approximately 10:00 p.m. at an apartment in the 5900 block of Park CT SE. A loaded handgun was also seized. The boy was transported and lodged at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center on the following charges:

  • Attempted assault, first degree
  • Unlawful use of a weapon
  • Reckless endangering
  • Unlawful possession of a firearm

The incident remains an ongoing investigation, and all media inquiries concerning the case must be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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Originally published July 1, 2025

Three arrested after shots fired in south Salem

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police arrested two adults and one juvenile on the evening of June 30 related to a disturbance ending in shots being fired in the parking lot of McDonald’s 5090 Commercial St SE.

At approximately 10:24 p.m. officers were dispatched to the call of a disturbance. As officers were arriving, vehicles connected to the incident were attempting to flee the scene. Officers stopped one vehicle, contacted three occupants, and ultimately seized a 9mm handgun. Multiple spent shell casings located at the scene were collected as evidence.

Arrested were Rubi Zambrano, 20, Dakoda Clark-Adkins, 18, and a 15-year-old male, all from Salem, on various charges related to the incident. Zambrano and Clark-Adkins were lodged at the Marion County Correctional Facility and will be arraigned today at 2:30pm at the Marion County Court Annex 4000 Aumsville Hwy SE. The juvenile was released to a parent.

While no injuries to persons or significant damage to property was immediately reported, people in the area may have witnessed the incident or have damage to property. Anyone with information is asked to call 503-588-6123 option 1 to make a report.

All further inquiries into this investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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Suspect Arrested In Connection With May 2025 Shooting -07/07/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: July 7, 2025

CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

Suspect arrested in connection with May 2025 shooting

Salem, Ore. — After an extensive investigation stemming from a shooting incident in May 2025, Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit Detectives with the assistance of the Salem Police S.W.A.T. team, served a search warrant in the 300 block of Cornwell St in Woodburn, Oregon this morning, July 7.  During the warrant service they arrested Jovani Bravo, 24, at his residence for his involvement in the case.

The related incident occurred on May 17, 2025, at approximately 1:15 a.m., when officers were dispatched to the call of a gunshot wound that had occurred in the 1200 block of State St. The original disturbance started at a bar in the downtown Salem area. Persons involved in the disturbance left in two separate vehicles and eventually traveled east on State St. Bravo, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles, shot several rounds at the other vehicle striking a 24-year-old female victim in the leg. The victim was treated and released at a local area hospital.

Bravo was lodged at the Marion County Correctional Facility on multiple charges related to this case and will be arraigned today at 2:30pm at the Marion County Court Annex 4000 Aumsville Hwy SE.

All further inquiries into this investigation should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

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One Pedestrian Struck, Killed In Northeast Salem -07/02/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: July 2, 2025

CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

One pedestrian stuck, killed in northeast Salem

Salem, Ore. — Salem police responded to the intersection of Pine St NE and Brooks Av NE at approximately 7:26 a.m. today, on the call of a single vehicle collision involving a pedestrian.

A Dodge Ram pickup, driven by Patrick Neufeld, 38, of Salem, was headed eastbound on Pine St NE when it collided with a pedestrian, Nina Elsom, 71, of Salem, who was attempting to cross the street. Despite live saving measures being attempted, Elsom was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Neufeld remained at the location and cooperated with investigators. Pine St NE was closed between Portland Rd NE and Cherry Ave NE for approximately two and a half hours, while officers conducted the investigation.

No arrests have been made or citations issued. The collision investigation is ongoing and as such, no other details are available for release.

The incident is Salem’s fifth fatal traffic collision this year, resulting in five fatalities.

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