News release Coos Co. Sheriff’s Office. On Tuesday evening, 11/15/2016 at about 8:53 pm, the Coos County 911/Dispatch Center received a call from an anonymous male subject advising that he and a friend had been in a canoe on the bay when it tipped over. The male caller advised that he had gotten ashore safely but he last saw his friend hanging on to the side of the canoe they were in. Coos County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with the US Coast Guard and Coos Bay Police were notified and began a search. The US Coast Guard was able to send out a boat and helicopter during the night to search the waterway. The canoe was located in the water in the area of the Hollering Point off Cape Arago Hwy and it is believed that the subjects were using the canoe in that area up to the area off Wygant Road. At first light this morning the Coos County Sheriff’s Office had additional personnel searching the waterway with SAR, Sheriff’s Deputies and Fire personnel from Charleston Fire Department searching along the shore. At this time the Sheriff’s Office has tentatively identified the male subject that got ashore as 33 year old Steven M. Robeson Jr., of Coos Bay. Mr. Robeson currently has warrants for his arrest and that is why it is believed he has not contacted Law Enforcement directly in this matter. The Sheriff’s Office is looking for Mr. Robeson at this time to question him about what happened. Mr. Robeson identified the man that was with him in the canoe as 48 year old Coos Bay resident, Stephen S. Navarro. Mr. Navarro was last seen wearing a dark jean denim jacket, blue jeans and cowboy boots. Update No. 1- 11/16, 9:30 a.m. – This morning search personnel located clothing matching the description of that worn by Stephen Navarro in the area of the hollering point and now believe that Mr. Navarro made it to shore. Update No. 2 – 11/16m 10:50 a.m. – The clothing mentioned above has been positively identified as belonging to Stephen Navarro, the missing boater. The clothing was found on the shore line in a pile and is believed to have been removed by Mr. Navarro after he made it to shore. His boating partner, Steven Robeson did the same thing last night after he made it to shore. The Sheriff’s Office has now shifted its focus of the search from the waters of the bay, inland into the City of Coos Bay, Empire District. At this time the Sheriff’s Office is concern that Mr. Navarro could still be out in the elements, without clothing and may have not made it safely to some type of shelter. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking help in contacting these two individuals to ascertain their safety and speak to them about the incident. The Sheriff’s Office is asking any person who may have information as to these two individuals’ whereabouts or safety, to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 541-396-2106. Update No. 3 – 11/16/2016, 2:15 pm – As of about 2:15 Wednesday, 11/16/2016 the Coos County Sheriff’s Office has suspended its search operations along the waterway of the Coos Bay Chanel for 48 year old Stephen Navarro. From search operations and investigation earlier today the Sheriff’s Office is very confident that Mr. Navarro made it safely to shore last night after the canoe he and 33 year old Steven Robeson were in tipped over in the bay. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office is still very concerned for Mr. Navarro’s safety and wished to make contact with him directly to ensure his safety. We are asking for the public’s help in locating Mr. Navarro and Mr. Robeson, as he has warrants for his arrest. Any person with information is encouraged to contact the Coos County Sheriff’s Office at 541-396-2016.
