CBPD release – The Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) arrested a Coos Bay man on weapons charges following the execution of a search warrant at a Coos Bay residence. The CBPD began an investigation on December 14, 2023, after receiving a report of fraudulent checks being cashed at a local business. CBPD officers discovered information during that investigation that was used to apply for and obtain a search warrant for a residence at 270 N Main St. in Coos Bay. Around 3:00 pm on December 20, 2023, officers from CBPD and the Coos County Emergency Response Team (ERT) arrived at the residence to carry out the search warrant. As they searched, the officers found items that were linked to criminal activity and a suspect who was not related to their original case. Many items found at the residence, including unregistered guns and fabricated silencers, a significant amount of ammunition and cash, a computer, a 3-D printer, and suspected fentanyl powder, were seized by officers. Following the search, 61-year-old Melvin Edward Lesher of Coos Bay was taken into custody. Mr. Lesher was transported to the Coos County Jail on charges of Possession of weapons by certain felons and Unlawful possession of machine guns, certain short-barreled firearms and firearms silencers. The original fraud case is still under investigation and the CBPD will continue to proactively address criminal activity reported in the City of Coos Bay. The CBPD was aided by the Coos County Emergency Response Team, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, the South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team, Coos Bay Fire Department and Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indian Tribal Police.
