Lost Person, Eel Ck. ODNRA
CCSO release – Date / Time: August 31st, 2023, at 9:30 p.m.; Case Number(s): N/a; Classification: Lost Person; Location: Eel Creek Dune Access; Deputy locates missing person in a non-motorized portion of the ODNRA near Eel Creek Campground. On August 31st, 2023, at 9:30 p.m., the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a lost woman in a non-motorized portion of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area near the trailhead at Eel Creek Campground. Deputy M.R. Smith immediately responded to the trailhead and set out on foot, hiking into the sand. Dispatch provided Deputy M.R. Smith with GPS coordinates of the woman’s location. Deputy M.R. Smith walked for just over a mile into the sand, where he located the tired woman but otherwise in good spirits. Deputy M.R. Smith led the way back to the Eel Creek Campground, where she was reunited with her husband. Once back at the Campground, the woman noticed her missing cell phone. Deputy M.R. Smith took it upon himself to hike back to where he initially located the woman and found her cell phone. Deputy M.R. Smith completed his (4) mile night expedition when he returned the phone to the woman and her husband at the Eel Creek Campground. Deputy M.R. Smith had this to say about his walk, “What a beautiful night, with full moonlight!”
CCSO Graduates
CCSO release – Date / Time: September 1, 2023; Event: Graduation from Basic Corrections Academy; Location: Salem, Oregon; Deputies – J. Lessley / J. Godin / B. Vitek (Sheriff Fabrizio); Deputies J. Lessley / J. Godin & B. Vitek graduated from Basic Corrections Academy in Salem. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office has been hiring for several positions over the past several months, including Communications Specialists, Patrol Deputies, and Corrections Deputies. This is an intensive process to ensure the public we serve has the best possible public servants. On September 1st, 2023, Sheriff Fabrizio had the privilege of attending (From left to right) Deputies J. Lessley, J. Godin, & B. Vitek’s graduation from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Basic Corrections Academy in Salem, Oregon. All three men did an outstanding job in Salem, and we are very excited to have them return home to continue that exemplary service in Coos County. Please join us in congratulating these Deputies on their first great accomplishment of many!
Thompson Arrested
CCSO Update: Mr. Thompson was arrested on September 2nd by the Bandon Police Department. Mr. Thompson was transported to the Coos County Jail where he is being held pending court appearance.
Warrant/Stolen Property
CCSO release – Date / Time: September 2nd, 2023, around 11:08 pm; Case Number(s): 202300026623; Classification: Warrant Service / Located Stolen Property; Location: Cape Arago Highway in Charleston; Suspect(s): Jonathan Tompkins (36). A wanted Douglas County man was arrested in Charleston while in Possession of reported stolen items. On September 2nd, 2023, around 11:08 pm, Deputy H. Francis conducted a traffic stop on a two-tone 1995 Dodge Dakota pickup on Cape Arago Highway near Seven Devils Road. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jonathan Tompkins (36). While speaking with Mr. Tompkins, Deputy Francis observed a unique duffel-style bag in the vehicle’s backseat. The brand was unique enough that Deputy Francis recalled that a bag with the same brand name had been reported stolen just two (2) days prior from a motorcycle in the Portside Restaurant parking lot along with the owner’s personal items. Mr. Tompkins provided a story of how he came to have the bag, and his claim is still being investigated. Coos County Dispatch reported to Deputy Francis that Mr. Tompkins had an active arrest warrant out of Douglas County. Deputy Francis placed Mr. Tompkins in custody for the warrant without incident. Mr. Tompkins was transported to the Coos County Jail, where he was booked and lodged on the Douglas County Warrant. Deputy Francis is referring the charge of Theft by Receiving to the Coos County District Attorney’s Office for consideration.
DUIII ODNRA
CCSO release – Date / Time: September 2nd, 2023, around 7:25 pm; Case Number(s): 202300026599; Classification: DUII; Location: Hauser Flat, ODNRA; Suspect(s): Jamison Ellis (43). Deputy responds to a side-by-side on fire after a crash, arrests 43 year-old-male for DUII. On September 2nd, 2023, around 7:25 pm, Coos County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a side-by-side had crashed in the Hauser Flat area of the ODNRA and that the vehicle was on fire. Hauser Fire Department extinguished the fire before Patrol Deputy M.R. Smith arrived at 7:34 pm. Deputy Smith learned that the passenger of the vehicle was transported to Bay Area Hospital (BAH) due to significant injuries. The driver, Jamison Ellis (43), was also transported to BAH due to his injuries. During the investigation, Deputy Smith learned that Mr. Ellis was seen driving erratically around Hauser Flats and V6 Hill. Mr. Ellis was seen doing this with a passenger and had reached estimated speeds of 65-70 mph while driving over V6 Hill. The vehicle cleared a large distance before slamming nose-first into a flat portion of Hauser Flat and catching fire. Good Samaritans ran to Mr. Ellis and his passenger’s aid and found that he was trapped in the driver’s seat of the side-by-side. At BAH, Deputy Smith finished with his investigation. It was learned that Mr. Ellis was under the influence of intoxicants. Mr. Ellis and the passenger were both being treated for their injuries. Deputy Smith provided Mr. Ellis with a criminal citation for DUII. Still, the final charging determination will be made by the Coos County District Attorney’s Office and could include additional charges. Thank you to our partners at Hauser Fire for their quick response, and to the Good Samaritans that responded to assist during this incident.
Shots Fired, Seven Devils Rd.
CCSO release – Date / Time: September 3rd, 2023 at 12:20 a.m.; Classification: Shots Heard; Location: Seven Devils / Walker Lane; Two young men were found target shooting off Seven Devils Road in the early morning hours due to numerous 911 calls of shots fired. On September 3, 2023, at 12:20 a.m. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office received several 911 calls of shots being fired in the woods near the intersection of Walker Lane and Seven Devils Road. Several callers expressed concern due to the incident a few weeks ago involving shots fired near the exact location, which left one man injured. A Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the location and heard the shots also. The Deputy checked the area, including the woods, and located the shooters. The boys, 12 & 13, had gotten the keys to Grandpa’s gun safe, unlocked it, and decided to do some target shooting. The boys were shooting safely with a backstop in place and wearing hearing protection. The two young men did not know the angst they were causing all the residents in the area. The Deputy escorted the boys home, spoke to Grandpa, and had the firearm secured. The Sheriff’s Office has been advised many people are talking on social media and are assuming the Sheriff’s Office has not responded or dealt with the problem. Please rest assured it was addressed, and there is no further need for concern. Although it is not illegal to shoot in the County, please do so in a safe manner and at responsible hours of the day. This was a good learning lesson for these boys; they will not be out shooting unsupervised anytime soon.