Attempt to Elude on Motorcycle
CCSO release – Date / Time: December 29th, 2023 at 1:49 p.m.; Case Number(s): 2023-00036925; Classification: Elude by Vehicle, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Probation Violation; Location: Bunkerhill & Eastside; Suspect(s): Michael D. Farnham (44); Man arrested after fleeing from Sheriff’s Deputy on stolen motorcycle. On December 29, 2023, at 1:49 p.m., Sgt. A. Slater observed a spray-painted black motorcycle with a male occupant driving poorly near Kruse Ave and Hwy 101 on the south side of Coos Bay. Sgt. Slater moved behind the vehicle and continued to observe poor driving behavior, including bad passes, no turn signals, and noticed the motorcycle did not have a visible license plate. Sgt. Slater attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the motorcycle, and the operator, later identified as Michael D. Farnham (44) of Coos Bay, failed to stop. A short vehicle pursuit resulted, crossing the Isthmus Slew bridge into Eastside and reaching speeds of 60 mph. While attempting a turn at the intersection of 6th Street and D Ave in Eastside, Mr. Farnham crashed and slid off the roadway onto the sidewalk before impacting a brick wall. An inspection of the motorcycle revealed it had previously been stolen out of Coos Bay. The motorcycle had been spray-painted black, and Mr. Farnham had attempted to remove the vehicle identification number by grinding. Mr. Farnham was transported to Bay Area Hospital for evaluation and, upon release, will be transported to the Coos County Jail on the charges of Driving while Suspended Misdemeanor, Elude by Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Probation Violation.
Burglary, Lakeside
CCSO release – Date / Time: December 30, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.; Case Number(s): 2023-00037057; Classification: Burglary I, Theft II; Location: Lakeside, Oregon; Suspect(s): Kyle A. Robertson (36). A mortuary worker steals money from a deceased subject’s wallet. Arrested on charges of Burglary I and Theft II. On December 30, 2023 at 12:30 a.m. Deputy S. Starr responded to a residence in Lakeside, Oregon, to a report of a welfare check being requested by an out-of-state family member. As a result of the investigation, the homeowner was found to be deceased. Per Sheriff’s Office policy, a non-preference mortuary was called to remove the victim. Deputy Starr removed several items from the residence for safekeeping, including some U.S. Currency, until the family could take possession of the valuables. While processing the valuables at the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Starr noticed $300 missing from the victim’s wallet. Deputy Starr immediately reported the discrepancy to his supervisor, who began an investigation into the missing money. During the investigation, the mortuary worker, Kyle A. Robertson (36) of Coos Bay, was contacted and admitted to taking the money from the victim’s wallet. Mr. Robertson returned $200 in his possession and advised he had already paid a friend back with the additional $100. As a result of the investigation, Kyle A. Robertson (36) was arrested on the charges of Burglary I and Theft II. Mr. Robertson was transported to the Coos County Jail, where he was booked and remains in custody.
Warrant, Green Acres
CCSO release – Date / Time: December 27th, 2023 at 12:56 p.m.; Case Number(s): 2023-00036755; Classification: Warrant Service; Location: Greenacres Lane; Suspect(s): Jesse S. Richardson (38). Man arrested in Greenacres after receiving a report of a man laying on the railroad tracks. On December 27th, 2023, at 12:56 p.m., the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report of a man lying on the railroad track in Greenacres near a small warning fire. Deputy Z. Smith responded and contacted Jesse S. Richardson (38). A record check revealed Mr. Richardson had a valid warrant for his arrest out of Douglas County. The warrant was confirmed, and Mr. Richardson was placed under arrest. Jesse S. Richardson (38) was transported to the Coos County Jail, where he was booked and later released with a court date/time to appear in Douglas County.
Reckless Burning, Shelly Rd.
CCSO release – Date / Time: December 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.; Case Number(s): 2023-00037009; Classification: Reckless Burning; Location: Shelly Road, Coquille, Oregon ; Suspect(s): Michael J. Wuerth (62). Man arrested for Reckless Burning after lighting homeowners trashcan on fire on Shelly Lane near Coquille. On December 30th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report from a homeowner on Shelly Lane near Coquille that a man had lit their trashcan on fire. Deputy H. Francis and Coquille Fire responded to the area. Coquille Fire extinguished the fire while Deputy Francis located the suspect a short distance away. Michael J. Wuerth (62) was arrested on the charge of Reckless Burning. Mr. Wuerth was transported to the Coos County Jail, where he was booked and remains in custody.
Assault, Carlisle Ln., CB
CCSO release – Date / Time: December 30, 2023 at 10:46 a.m.; Case Number(s): 2023-00037011; Classification: Assault IV (Domestic); Location: Carlisle Lane, Coos Bay, Oregon; Suspect(s): Jesse R. Phillips (43). Coos Bay man arrested after disturbance reported south of Coos Bay. On December 30th, 2023, at 10:46 a.m., the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 report of a man and woman fighting on Carlisle Lane just south of Coos Bay. Sgt. A. Slater and Deputy S. Starr responded to the location and contacted the involved parties. After an investigation Jesse R. Phillips (43) of Coos Bay was arrested on the charge of Assault IV Domestic. Mr. Phillips was transported to the Coos County Jail where he was booked and is currently in custody.
Felon in Possession Firearm, Carlisle Ln. CB
CCSO release – Date / Time: December 27th, 2023 at 2:13 p.m.; Case Number(s): 2023-00036773; Classification: Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Location: Carlisle Lane, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420; Suspect(s): Jeremiah L. West (47) / Eddie L. Engebretson (59) / Amber R. Phillips (42). Two men and one woman referred to the D.A.’s Office on gun charges after the Coos County Sheriff’s Office received a report of shots fired. On December 27th, 2023, at 2:13 p.m., the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report of shots fired on Carlisle Lane just south of Coos Bay. Sgt. A. Slater and Deputy Gray responded to the scene and contacted several individuals on the property. After an investigation by Sgt. Slater, three separate convicted felons were found to be in possession of two different firearms before the arrival of law enforcement. Jeremiah L. West (47), Eddie L. Engebretson (59), and Amber R. Phillips (42) all admitted to possessing and shooting the firearms on the Carlisle Lane property. During a search of the residence, Sgt. Slater located the two rifles, one a .556 military-style rifle and the other a 7.62 AK-style rifle. Both weapons were seized by law enforcement. Sgt. Slater made the decision to refer Jeremiah L. West (47), Eddie L. Engebretson (59) and Amber R. Phillips (42) are all being referred to the Coos County District Attorney’s Office on separate charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm in lieu of arrest.
Plea Deal, Courthouse, Coquille
CCSO release – Date / Time: December 27th 2023; Case Number(s): 23CR57437; Classification: Escape in the Second Degree; Location: Circuit Court, Coquille; Suspect(s): William H. Payton (28); William H. Payton (28) sentenced to 24 months in prison for Escape in the Second Degree. On December 27th, 2023, William H. Payton (28) appeared in Circuit Court, Coquille, for a change of plea on Escape in the Second Degree, Criminal Driving While Suspended or Revoked and Resisting Arrest. Mr. Payton ultimately accepted a plea deal offered by Coos County Deputy District Attorney John Blanc, outlined as follows. Escape in the Second Degree – Guilty (24 months Department of Corrections “Prison”); Criminal Driving While Suspended or Revoked – Dismissed; Resisting Arrest – Dismissed. It is essential to understand that plea negotiations save the taxpayer money and reduce the need for juries, attorneys, and lengthy court proceedings. It also holds the offenders accountable for the most egregious crimes committed, while allowing the limited staff of the District Attorney’s Office to focus their efforts on serious person crimes requiring prosecution.