Police briefs: Jan. 22, 2025

Too many trout — An OSP trooper stopped someone carrying a large Brood Trout away from Taylor Lake. The person said it was given by an angler, but had no written record of transfer — which is required. They were cited for that, and for unlawful possession; the trout was donated to the Discovery Center Raptor Program. The angler, when located, had another Brood Trout, which was one too many. The angler was cited for exceeding his daily limit.

Driving drunk — A blue Toyota Corolla hit a concrete barrier near milepost 54 eastbound of I-84, spun, and crashed into the median. The injured, confused driver was transported to an area hospital. Several open containers of alcohol were seen in the vehicle and, after investigation, the intoxicated driver was arrested and a search warrant for their blood was executed at the hospital, and three citations issued. Last week, HRPD charged two people with DUII and TDPD three; OSP charged one. DUIIs spiked around the holidays, said Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill.

Guardrails and ice — Four crashes were reported last week by OSP, with no injuries. WCSO and TDPD each logged three.

On Jan. 14, two vehicles hit guardrails on I-84 near milepost 93 eastbound — one for reasons the driver couldn’t recall, the other while trying to avoid the first crash. Later, a 56-year-old driving a Jetta from Alaska didn’t see a Subaru in their blind spot, and sideswiped the other vehicle while changing lanes on I-84 near milepost 61 eastbound. Both drivers got warnings for speeding.

And a 21-year-old Wamic resident was southbound to work when their pickup fishtailed on icy roads. The driver stated he slowed from 65 to 45, but put on the gas on a hill and fishtailed again. The Toyota Tacoma spun 180 degrees, left the road into a rock embankment and rolled onto its side. The driver was warned for going too fast for conditions.

Diesel in the water — Five agencies responded to an upside-down semi-truck leaking diesel into the ground near a seasonal creek Jan. 11, near milepost 2 on Highway 97. The semi had struck a guardrail. The 29-year-old driver received two citations; the vehicle will be retrieved at a later date by Purdy’s Towing and ODOT. The fate of the stream was not described.

Help needed — Trooper Nicklus Rumsey responded to a request of emergency cover for another agency on Jan. 14. On arrival, he found three officers trying to get a resisting male into custody. Rumsey helped the trio get this person on the ground and place them in double-locked handcuffs, and stood by at the hospital while the prisoner was cleared for jail.

Illegal garbage — An illegal garbage dump site was found, just east of milepost 68 on US-30, down an embankment between that highway and I-84. This location is ODOT property. Three people whose names and addresses were found among the garbage denied dumping there when interviewed. An OSP report to the district attorney will recommend they be charged with illegal dumping.

Dogs, raccoons and deer — TDPD recorded 13 calls about animals, including dogs at large and shut in vehicles. One reporting party noted “a raccoon walking in circles in the field.” The evidently sick animal had been circling for 30 minutes by their Heritage Loop home. Later, a deer was hit by a car on Columbia View Drive. And on Jan. 12, someone dumped a puppy in a River Road parking lot and sped off. WCSO also logged five dogs and another animal, providing no details.

Paint kills dogs — Two of a reporting party’s dogs died last week, after a contractor allegedly dumped toxic paint on their property. The caller stated they found the paint after the dogs’ deaths, in water they’d drunk. The person stated they had video confirming that a contractor they hired dumped the paint. The Dalles’ animal control officer was put in touch with the situation.

Wire, tools, vehicles lost — TDPD recorded six thefts last week, including wire, tools from truck, and a rented car trailer from Sixth. One theft was first reported as a fight or disturbance on Sixth. In another incident, people allegedly tried to steal an air conditioner on Jan. 14. They were not successful and left in a gray truck, at first pursued by the owner’s partner. In another incident, a vehicle on Eighth was broken into and a five-shot .22 revolver and some small items taken. A pair of broken bolt cutters were left behind.

Bedroom fire — A person was arrested for first-degree arson after starting a fire in the bedroom of their parent’s house on Jan. 9.

Pedestrian hit — A walking person was hit by a car around 11:50 Jan. 9, after the car failed to yield to the walking person in a 10th Street crosswalk. The driver’s fine was doubled to $530, as the crash happened in a school zone.

Smushed sign — A stop sign was “completely flattened” by a red semi hauling a white trailer at Tenth and Webber Streets Jan. 10, around 7:55 a.m. The suspect vehicle could not be located.

Weapons violation — After someone posted on Facebook that some items were stolen from their yard, a third party called the police stating they’d seen the suspect, and gave a description of the person. Officers found a person on F Street, and arrested them on charges of probation or parole violation, felon in possession of firearm, theft I by receiving and carrying a concealed firearm.

Burglaries — A burglary-in-progress was called in from Snipes Street on Jan. 15. An employee reported seeing one person where they shouldn’t be. Officers checked the unit and found no one. The incident is under investigation. In Hood River, HRPD officers responded to a residence that had been burglarized. Days later, officers were dispatched to the same home for a burglary in progress. That investigation is also ongoing.

Gas response — Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue responded to a potential gas leak on 13th Street Jan. 15.

Narcotics — A nursing home, Montello Adult Home, reported missing narcotics medication.