Warrant Arrest, Cape Arago Hwy.
CCSO release – Date / Time: 03/12/2023 at 9:51 p.m.; Case Number(s): S23-05617; Classification: Warrant Arrest; Location: 91149 Cape Arago Highway, Charleston, Coos County, Oregon; Suspect(s): Epperson, Vanessa Marie; Information to be released: On March 12th, 2023 at 9:51 p.m. the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report of a suspicious female outside of a residence on Cape Arago Hwy. The woman was reported to be digging in the ground, near the residence. Deputy Z. Smith responded to the area and located the woman, who was identified as Vanessa Epperson. A record check revealed Mrs. Epperson had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. After an investigation, Mrs. Epperson was placed into custody and transported to the Coos County Jail on the outstanding warrant where she was booked.
Found, Abandoned, Safe Keeping Property
CCSO release – Date / Time: March 13, 2023; Case Number(s): N/A; Classification: Found Property / Safe Keeping; Location: Coos County; Suspect(s): N/a; Information to be released: During the course of our duties The Coos County Sheriff’s Office has taken many items into our property/evidence room. These items we are specifically speaking about were either found or abandoned property that was located within Coos County. Several items have also been logged into evidence as “safekeeping.” These items were likely taken from a subject who was taken into custody, and had no other location to store their belongings. The Sheriff’s Office employees provide evidence receipt(s) to these individuals so they can come pick up items during business hours upon their release, however several items have not been recovered. The Sheriff’s Office is preparing for an audit of the property/evidence room. Part of this process is purging these items from inventory, as many of them have been maintained long past the timeframe required by law. Attempts will be made to contact the owners by sending out notices and letters in the coming months. Additional items of found or abandoned property will be posted in the newspaper, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or in three other public domains. The items will be posted or letters delivered and the owner will have 30 days to retrieve the property. If items are un-claimed after 30 days they will be disposed of properly in accordance with ORS 98.245. If you have a description of lost or abandoned property or a property receipt issued by our office, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 541-396-7804 so your property can be returned.
Sexual Abuse, Coos River Hwy.
CCSO release – Date / Time: July 31st, 2022 & March 9th, 2023; Case Number(s): S22-20184 / S23-07020; Classification: Sexual Abuse; Location: Coos River Hwy; Suspect(s): Willard V. Cowan (60); Information to be released: On July 31, 2022 the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report of the sexual abuse of a (14) year old female. Sgt. S. Moore conducted an initial investigation and the report was then forwarded to Det. D. Ritz. The suspect was identified as Willard V. Cowan (60) years of age of Coos Bay. During the course of the investigation several interviews were conducted, and an enormous amount of follow-up was completed. Due to this investigation by Det. Ritz he applied for and was granted a search warrant to search Mr. Cowan’s home for the evidence of the reported sexual abuse and other crimes, related to this investigation. The search warrant was executed at Mr. Cowan’s residence, east of Coos Bay on August 17, 2022 where evidence pertaining to the reported crime and others was seized. As the investigation continued, Det. Ritz contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who assisted with searching the electronic equipment seized during the search warrant. The electronic equipment was found to have been used in the additional crime of Encouraging Child Abuse in the First Degree. The FBI obtained an arrest warrant for Willard V. Cowan on Federal Charges, relating to this investigation. On March 9th, 2023 FBI Agents responded to Coos County, assisted by Det. Ritz and Sgt. Clayburn where they located and arrested Mr. Cowan on the Federal arrest warrant. Reports have been completed by Sheriff’s Office Staff and local charges against MR. Cowan, also relating to this investigation are expected in the near future.
Old Wagon Road Motorist Assist
CCSO release – Date / Time: March 13th 2023 at 10:56 a.m.; Case Number(s): N/a; Classification: Motorist Assist; Location: Sitkum Lane (Old Wagon Road); Involved: Tia Harris (34) & Daniel Phelps (37); Information to be released: On March 13, 2023, at 10:56 a.m. personnel from the Coos County Road Department contacted the Coos County Dispatch Center regarding a broken-down vehicle at about milepost 33 1/2 on Sitkum Lane (Old Wagon Road). After receiving the report Capt. S. Sanborn immediately responded and located the vehicle broken down with two occupants inside. The weather was extremely poor at the time with hard rain falling and one foot of snow still on the ground in the area. Tia Harris (34) and Daniel Phelps (37) were in the vehicle with their dog and advised Capt. Sanborn they had been broken down at that location for two days. Capt. Sanborn provided Mrs. Harris with a ride to a friend’s residence to assist them with recovering the vehicle and it’s belongings. Mr. Phelps remained with the vehicle pending Mrs. Harris’ return with help. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind travelers to drive with care and be prepared for winter driving conditions. Please take note, secondary roads throughout the county are not traveled as frequently during the winter months and may contain several unknown hazards.