News release from the Newport PD. During the month of February 2015, the Newport Police Department noticed a severe spike in reported burglaries and car break-ins. On February 20, 2015, Newport Police Officers arrested Stephanie Wheeler-Davey, age 30 of no known address, when she was found in possession of a reported stolen Toyota Tundra. When Wheeler-Davey was arrested, she was in possession of several articles of stolen property. The investigation led Officers to discover that Wheeler-Davey was responsible for other car thefts, burglaries, and car break-ins. On February 23, 2015 the Newport Police Department assembled a task force comprised of officers from the Newport Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, Toledo Police Department, Oregon State Police, and Lincoln County Parole and Probation. Task force investigators began following leads, and uncovered several suspects involved in burglaries, thefts, and drug-related crimes. A search warrant was executed at a residence in Newport, where methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a significant amount of stolen property was found. As a result of the search warrant, Jason Owens, age 38 of Newport, was arrested on multiple drug-related charges. Task force investigators then served a search warrant at another residence in Newport, and recovered property that was reported stolen from a residential burglary in Newport. As a result of the search warrant, Shane Walls, age 31 of Newport, was arrested on burglary and theft-related charges. Investigators also found that Walls attempted to destroy evidence that linked him to the burglary. nvestigators found additional stolen property that Walls had attempted to conceal from investigators. Task force investigators then executed a search warrant at a third Newport residence, and found methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, weapons, and an explosive device. As a result of the search warrant, Jason Gemkow, age 36 of Newport, and Chelsey Allen, age 41 of Newport, were arrested on multiple drug-related and weapons-related charges. As a result of the task force members’ contact with many persons, arrests were made of Tyler Milbert, age 26 of Newport, on a Parole and Probation Detainer, and Joshua Sanders, age 23 of no known address, on a Failure to Appear Warrant. In addition to the task force-related investigations, Gabriel Evans, age 23 of Newport, was arrested for a burglary that was reported in January 2015. Evans burglarized the City of Newport Wastewater Treatment Facility and stole several thousand dollars’ worth of scientific instruments. Also during the investigation, officers located Christopher White, age 27 of Newport, who had multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest. White was located in a local motel room, where he was unlawfully staying. During the contact, Officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. In addition to the warrants, White was arrested for Burglary and multiple drug-related crimes. Task force investigators continue to follow-up additional leads, and to process property recovered during the investigation. Several articles of property have been recovered that had not been previously reported. Residents are encouraged to report crimes of burglary and car break-ins as soon as possible. As a result of the investigation, task force investigators have linked more than 20 cases to the 12 subjects arrested. Additional cases are expected to be cleared as the investigation continues. Task force investigators found that many of the car break-ins were the result of unlocked vehicles. The Newport Police Department encourages the public to secure their vehicles and homes. The public is also encouraged to not leave such valuable items as purses, wallets, and electronics in their vehicles. Visible items in vehicles make an attractive target to would-be thieves. The Newport Police Department encourages citizens to inventory their valuables. In the event that personal property is stolen or damaged, the ability to report the specifics of your property is extremely helpful. Taking inventory may be a time-consuming project, but is vital to proving ownership and identifying stolen or lost items. There are a variety of options to consider when itemizing your valuables. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has developed an application for both the Android and iPhone. The application is called MyHome Scr.APP.book. Citizens are encouraged to review the application, and consider documenting and itemizing valuables. It is important to remember that there is not an application for preventing crime. However, being able to provide important serial numbers to law enforcement allows stolen property to be entered into a national database. Use of the database increases the chance of your stolen property being returned if it is recovered. Suspects arrested: Stephanie Ann Wheeler-Davey, age 30 of no known address. Multiple burglary and theft charges. Additional charges of Burglary, Theft, and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle pending. Currently lodged in Lincoln County Jail with bail set at $375,002.00. Jason Patrick Owens, age 38 of Newport. Unlawful Possession, Delivery and Manufacture of Methamphetamine within 1000 ft. of a school. Currently lodged in Lincoln County Jail with bail set at $500,000.00. Shane Michael Walls, age 31 of Newport. Burglary I, Theft I, Tampering with Evidence. Currently lodged in Lincoln County Jail with bail set at $200,000.00. Tanya Marie Schriver, age 40 of Newport. Probation Violation. Additional charges pending. Currently lodged in Lincoln County Jail with no bail authorized. Shannon Uretta Thomas, age 29 of Lincoln City. Probation Violation. Additional charges pending. Currently lodged in Lincoln County Jail with no bail authorized. Jason Alton Gemkow, age 36 of Newport. Unlawful Possession, Delivery, and Manufacture of Methamphetamine, Felon in Possession. Chelsey Ann Allen, age 41 of Newport. Unlawful Possession, Delivery, and Manufacture of Methamphetamine, Felon in Possession of Weapon. Currently lodged in Lincoln County Jail with bail set at $150,000.00. Gabriel Phillip Eric Evans, age 23 of Newport.
Multiple Burglary and Theft-related charges. Currently lodged in Lincoln County Jail with bail set at $250,000.00. Erin Swinford, age 32 of Newport. Burglary and Theft-related charges. Currently lodged in Lincoln County Jail with bail set at $200.000.00. Christopher Michael White, age 27 of Newport. Multiple Burglary and Theft-related charges, Unlawful Possession, Delivery, and Manufacture of Methamphetamine, two Failure to Appear warrants, and a Parole Violation. Currently lodged in Lincoln County Jail with bail set at $500,000.00. Tyler Jacob Milbert, age 26 of Newport. Probation Violation. Joshua Michael Sanders, age 23 of no known address. Failure to Appear Warrant issued from Multnomah County.
