The Astoria Police Department has closed to the public. The department is still providing all emergency response and non-emergency response to calls for service. Administrative services and the facility on 30th Street is closed. The Department will reopen at 1555 W. Marine Drive on Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM. Neither of the two locations will be regularly staffed til Tuesday morning as employees will be moving between the two locations. 

For emergency services call 911. For non-emergency service please call (503) 325-4411. Do not delay reporting as a result of the closure. While the building is closed the department continues to function as close to normal as possible. 

The department has moved out of the building to facilitate a seismic retrofit of the building so that it can be immediately occupied after a seismic event. The work is being undertaken as a result of a $1,500,000 grant administered by Oregon Emergency Management. Work is expected to take approximately 6 months. 

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD

On Thursday, May 10, 2012; Jeffrey Allen Edwards was indicted by the Clatsop County Grand Jury on 15 felony counts that included eight counts of Forgery in the First Degree and seven counts of Identity Theft. 

 The indictments are a result of a lengthy investigation into numerous complaints that the Astoria Police Department received about Mr. Edwards’ Astoria area business dealings over the past several years. 

 The information that was presented to the Grand Jury involved Mr. Edwards’ practice of soliciting local Astoria residents to pressure wash and/or paint their houses.  As part of his practices, Mr. Edwards would claim to be connected to and/or representing a legitimate local business to gain the trust of the victims.  To further the deception, Mr. Edwards would use the legitimate Oregon CCB license numbers of other businesses, or Mr. Edwards would create false CCB license numbers so that it would appear that he was appropriately licensed and bonded with the State of Oregon. 

 During the investigation, Mr. Edwards was warned that his activity was unlawful, that his illegal activity was being investigated, and that it needed to stop; but the Astoria Police Department has continued to receive complaints about Mr. Edwards’ business practices. 

 Mr. Edwards has never been licensed with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board and does not have a business license from the City of Astoria. 

 If you believe that you have been a victim of Mr. Edwards, and you live in the City of Astoria; contact the Astoria Police Department at 503-325-4411 to speak to an officer.

 The Astoria Police Department advises residents to be cautious when hiring people to do work on their homes or property.  Take the time to check with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board before asking for bids or entering into any agreements with a contractor.  By doing this, you will be able to verify if the contractor is actively licensed, is legal to do contracting work in Oregon, has a surety bond, has provided proof of liability insurance at the time of application, and also allows you to check on the history of the contractor.  See the Oregon Construction Contractors Board website for more information on the best practices for hiring contractors.

Media sources looking for a higher quality photo can find this photo here

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD

On April 5, 2012 at 10:05 PM, Astoria Police responded to a residence in the 900 block of Franklin to a report of a gunshot victim. On arrival they found a seriously injured 35 year old female who had sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Indications are that the wound was self inflicted. Medix and Astoria Fire personnel provided aid to the victim who was transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The deceased was identified as Lana Millbocker, Age 35 of Astoria. Lana is a former Seaside Police Officer and Detective who was currently working with the Clatsop County Juvenile Department at their detention facility. North Coast Chaplaincy has responded to Seaside Police Department to be of service to employees there and the Clatsop County Juvenile Department was making plans for aiding both employees and youth who were affected by Millbocker’s death.

Millbocker and her partner were alone at her residence at the time of the incident. Millbocker's partner has been cooperating with the investigation. The current indication is that Millbocker's discharge of the firearm was not intentional. Investigators do not believe there was foul play involved in Millbocker's death. An autopsy was conducted by the Oregon State Medical Examiners office. Its findings were consistent with statements obtained and the scene investigation. The investigation will continue. In death cases, investigators work to answer all questions possible prior to a final determination.

Astoria Police were initially assisted by the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police. The Clatsop County District Attorney’s office provided a medical legal investigator to assist the investigation as well. While the cause of death is a gunshot wound the manner of death will be determined through a complete investigation. 

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD

Astoria Police are looking for information relating to a hit and run crash that occured on April 3, 2012. During the late eveneing Camren Hudson, age 18 , was riding his BMX style bicycle over Alameda in the 400 block. He reported that he was struck from behind by a dark colored sedan. He described the vehicle as a dark midsize sedan with tinted windows. 

If you saw the crash, were a passenger in the vehicle, or have any other information about the incident please call the Astoria Police Department with information. Astoria Police can be reached at 503.325.4411 you can also send information or tips via twitter or facebook message. New reports are not received through facebook or twitter. Tips can also be sent via text to 84469 with the phrase tip@Ast911.

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD

On April 4, 2012 at 7:25 Astoria Police Responded to the area of 7th and Marine Drive near McDonalds for a blocking crash. When they arrived they found that a Volvo passenger car crashed into an unloaded log truck near the center line of the roadway. 

Officers learned that the driver of the Volvo, Myrtle Norman, age 73 of Astoria, had been blinded by the rising sun and crossed the center line striking the unloaded log truck being operated by Roger Baker, age 32 from Ilwaco. No injuries were reported at the scene and no citations were issued related to the crash. A truck inspection of the log truck was also conducted. 

Astoria Police regularly receive complaints about the operation of commercial motor vehicles. In this  incident there was no indication that the operator of the commercial motor vehicle had any fault in the crash. An inspection of the commercial vehicle revealed no violations. Astoria Police Department has two officers trained as truck inspectors. They are partially funded through an agreement with Oregon Department of Transportation. In the first three months of the year they have conducted 53 inspections of commercial motor vehicles. 

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD

DATE OF INCIDENT: MARCH 30TH, 2012

RELEASED BY: JEFF RUSIECKI

TYPE OF INCIDENT: ASTORIA 911 DISPATCHER RECOGNIZED

DETAILS:

Astoria 911 Dispatcher Kristen Lane was recognized this past Friday during her Basic Telecommunications Academy graduation as the top academic Student. Kristen, along with two other classmates, finished the Academy with an overall academic score of 98.94%. The top academic student(s) in each Academy class is presented with the prestigious Carol Fagan Award.

Carol was a communications specialist with the Eugene Police Department - Central Lane Communications Center. She was instrumental in the creation of DPSST's Telecommunications Training Program, which began in 1990. She served as an adjunct instructor at DPSST and was also very active in the training program at Central Lane Communications Center. Sadly, Carol died in a car accident in route to work for an overtime shift in Central Lane in 1995. Since this tragic event, the Basic Telecommunications Academic Achievement Award is named in her honor to recognize her commitment to excellence in public safety communications training.

This achievement comes as no surprise to us as we have been extremely impressed with Kristen while she as been undergoing the demanding training to become a 911 Dispatcher for us said Astoria 911 Manager Jeff Rusiecki. All of us are very proud of her accomplishment!

 The Graduation Ceremony is held at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, in Salem.

(Pictured from left to right are DPSST Director Eriks Gabliks, Dispatcher Kristen Lane, Lisa Turley Director of Portlands Beureau of Emergency Communications, and Lieutenant Jan Myers Telecom Training Coordinator)

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD

The Astoria Police Department has recently solved three cases as a result of DNA evidence. DNA evidence is regularly featured on many TV and Movie shows. However, the reality of DNA is very different from the portrayal in the media. In these cases, a burglary and two bank robberies, the quickest DNA result was received 11 months after the crime. Many reasons for this exist. They include: limited resources, prioritization of testing by crime type, processing time, coordination between multiple labs, and subjects not being in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) at the time of the submission. DNA evidence is unique in that it can develop a named suspect from items left behind at a crime scene. No two subjects, except for identical twins, have been discovered with the same DNA.

On Tuesday, March 13, 2012; Jack Palmer Van Eaton Jr. was sentenced in U.S. District Court, in Portland, Oregon; for two bank robberies that he committed in Astoria.  Those two robberies occurred at the Sterling Savings Bank in April of 2008 and at the Wells Fargo Bank in October of 2010. 

The Sterling Savings Bank in Astoria was robbed on April 22, 2008; no suspect was initially identified.  During the search for the suspect items discovered in a nearby building were identified as having belonged to the person who had committed the robbery.  DNA testing was done on some of these recovered items by the Oregon State Police Crime Lab, and in August of 2010, a DNA match to Jack Palmer Van Eaton Jr. was made.  A Federal Arrest Warrant was issued for Van Eaton and on February 26, 2011 Van Eaton was arrested in Lincoln County, Oregon.

During the months that followed, the FBI continued to assist with the investigation and Van Eaton also admitted responsibility for the robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank in Astoria that occurred on October 2, 2010.

On February 29, 2012, the Astoria Police Department was notified by the OSP Crime Lab that evidence submitted had been linked to a named suspect in a March 2011 burglary.

On March 19, 2011, Astoria Police responded to the Overbay Antique Auto Museum, 1233 Exchange. The Museum had been closed for three days. Sometime in the three days prior to the report person’s unknown had forced entry to the building and items valued at over $50,000 were taken. The items included antique gold coins, silver coins, antique jewelry and antique firearms were stolen. During the investigation of the crime scene evidence containing material suitable for obtaining a DNA sample was seized. The name provided by the OSP crime lab on the 29^th of February 2012 was Mathew J Betts a 36 year old from Warrenton. Investigators confirmed Betts’ involvement in the crime and arrested him on March 6. A Clatsop County Grand Jury has since indicted Betts on One count of Burglary I and one count of Aggravated Theft I. None of the coins from the theft have been recovered.

Astoria Police are still waiting for DNA results from the deceased person found in the woods off of Irving in October of 2011. These results come from the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS). There is not a current expected date for those results. 

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD

On March 14, 2012 Astoria Police arrested Earnest Aiken, Age 80 of Astoria. The incident leading to his arrest began on December 28, 2011 with a mandatory reporter who viewed a Facebook post by the teenage victim in the case. The mandatory reporter, a teacher, reported the possible abuse to Department of Human Services - Child Protective Services (CPS).  Astoria Police assigned the case to the School Resource Officer Ken Hansen who investigated in conjunction with CPS. The victim disclosed that Aiken touched her on the clothed buttocks and vagina.

On March 14 Officer Hansen served a warrant that was a result of a Grand Jury indictment taking Aiken into custody. Aiken had made arrangements to turn him self in. 

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD

On March 12 at 230 AM A resident at 2093 Marine Drive reported that he had seen someone trying to break into a vehicle at North Coast Auto (2060 Marine Drive). The witness reported the subject removed a tarp covering the vehicle and had been trying to start it.

Officers responded and found two male subjects near Marine and 27th. One matched the specific clothing description given by the witness. While the Officers were identifying the suspect, Garret Young, age 22 of Hammond, he began to try to distance himself from the officers at the scene. When Officer Matt Clausen attempted to arrest Young he fled. 

Officer Clausen chased Young on foot, first toward Columbia Memorial Hospital, then across Marine toward Mill Pond Village. Young ran down the sloped bank of Mill Pond and fell into the pond. He then crawled under the residence at 270 23rd St. After about 20 minutes, Officer Chris McNeary craweled under the residence and pulled Young out from under the house. Young was taken into custody without further incident. 

Because Young was shivering and had been exposed while wet to the cold nighttime temperatures, officers took him to CMH to be examined prior to lodging him at the Clatsop County Jail.

Young was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Trespass I, Criminal Trespass II, Disorderly Conduct II, Escape III, Resisting Arrest, and Interfering with a Police Officer. Parole and Probation also put a hold on him.

On March 10, 2011 Young was arrested in a case involving a hit and run while he was driving a stolen vehicle. That incident also occurred in the same area. Young is on Post Prison Supervision for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. 

Deputies from the Clatsop County Sheriff's Office also assisted with the investigation. 

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD

On February 29, 2011 at 8:36 PM Astoria Police Officers responded to the 100 Block of Marine Drive to a report of a man who needed assistance. When they arrived they found a 19 Year Old Male who gave an Ohio address. He kept his hands concealed and told officers that he had a knife in one hand and a "dead man's switch" in his other. He said that he had something that would blow up if they shot him with the Taser. He told officers to shoot him. 

After about 20 minutes, officers were able to talk the subject into custody. They determined that he in fact did not have any explosive. Once in custody the subject told officers that he wanted them to kill him. He said that he wanted to jump off of the bridge but was afraid to. 

Officers transported the subject to Columbia Memorial Hospital to be evaluated by Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare. While it is possible that criminal charges could stem from the incident, ensuring the mental health of the subject is the first step in the aftermath of this incident. During the incident traffic in and out of the Astoria Mini Mart was restricted. 

Astoria Officers were assisted by the Oregon State Police and the Clatsop County Sheriff's Office.

Astoria Police can also be found at www.facebook.com/AstoriaPolice and on Twitter @AstoriaPD