Washington County

In July 2024, a detective from the Sylva Police Department in North Carolina contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to inform our agency about an adult male in Oregon using the internet in an attempt to communicate online with minors.A Washington County Sheriff’s Office detective from the Violent Crimes Unit began to engage in chat conversation with the suspect. The suspect engaged in sexually explicit conversation with the decoy, a detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. As that conversation continued, plans were made to meet on August 2nd at a location in Washington County.The suspect was arrested and identified as 68-year-old Jon Scot Taylor of Portland. He was booked into the Washington County Jail on the following charges:Luring a MinorOnline Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First DegreeInvestigators believe that Mr. Taylor may have other victims. Anyone with information about Mr. Taylor is asked to call the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 503-846-2500.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies, spearheaded by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Team with support from the U.S. Marshals Service and Oregon State Police, recently combined their efforts during Operation Liger. The mission’s priority was to target non-compliant sex offenders residing in Washington County. Oregon law requires registered sex offenders to comply with all sex offender laws and registration requirements.Operation Liger resulted in 189 sex offender compliance checks conducted within Washington County from June 1 to July 27, 2024. The operation focused on conducting compliance checks on sex offenders at their last reported residence and investigating and locating non-compliant sex offenders. Non-compliant sex offenders include individuals who violate their sex offender registration requirements.Ten of the 189 compliance checks resulted in the offender no longer residing at their reported residence. The checks also revealed 24 sex offenders being out of compliance, of which 21 resulted in arrests/citations charges for ORS 163A.040 – Failure to Report as Sex Offender. The other three are open investigations. The Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, and Oregon State Police all share the responsibility of supporting missions such as Operation Liger to lower the risk that non-compliant offenders pose to public safety and reduce the number of future incidents from reoccurring.We thank both agencies for their partnership.For additional information regarding sex offender reporting requirements, please visit the Oregon State Police Sex Offender Registration page.  

After the December 24, 2023, burglary of the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, investigators from the Washington County Sheriff's Office pursued leads spanning several Oregon counties and into Vancouver, Washington. Investigators discovered items believed to be stolen Rice Museum exhibits at a precious metals buyer in the Salem area, ultimately leading to the burglar's discovery. On May 28, 2024, a Washington County Grand Jury indicted 33-year-old Vincent Charles Roberts for the following charges stemming from the burglary at the museum. Burglary in the second degree Criminal mischief in the first degreeAggravated theft in the first degreeTheft in the first degreeA warrant was issued for Roberts's arrest. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office located Roberts, who is known to frequent locations in their jurisdiction and took him into custody on June 27, 2024. Many historical gold display items have not been recovered, and the investigation is ongoing. If you have information about this investigation, the Sheriff’s Office urges you to contact investigators at 503-846-2700. _______________________________________________________________________________________________Media Release: Detectives Investigate Major Theft at Local MuseumOn Sunday, December 24, 2023, at 2:21 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a break-in alarm at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals at 26385 NW Groveland Drive in unincorporated Washington County. Responding deputies found a broken window leading into the building and footprints heading south from the museum. Deputies immediately set up containment in the area and attempted a K9 track, but the individual managed to escape. Deputies searched the museum with the help of museum staff, where they discovered a significant theft from a large display case containing numerous gold items. The total value of the missing items is not being reported at this time. Deputies reviewed the museum’s security footage, and the suspect appears to be an average-built adult white male wearing jeans and a jacket. The case is now being investigated by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit detectives. If you, or someone you know, have any information, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (503) 846-2700.On Sunday, December 24, 2023, at 2:21 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a break-in alarm at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals at 26385 NW Groveland Drive in unincorporated Washington County. Responding deputies found a broken window leading into the building and footprints heading south from the museum. Deputies immediately set up containment in the area and attempted a K9 track, but the individual managed to escape. Deputies searched the museum with the help of museum staff, where they discovered a significant theft from a large display case containing numerous gold items. The total value of the missing items is not being reported at this time. Deputies reviewed the museum’s security footage, and the suspect appears to be an average-built adult white male wearing jeans and a jacket. The case is now being investigated by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit detectives. If you, or someone you know, have any information, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (503) 846-2700.

On August 5, 2024, at 4:47 a.m., neighbors reported that someone dressed in Amazon attire was stealing packages from porches at the North Ridge Apartments at 21159 NW Galice Lane in Rock Creek. Deputies arrived quickly and located the suspect, who was wearing an Amazon vest, beanie and baseball cap.Further investigation revealed that in addition to stealing and opening multiple packages left on doorsteps, the suspect also used spray paint stolen from another apartment’s back porch and used it to vandalize a vehicle.The suspect was arrested and identified as 46-year-old Jamie Lee Baxter of Portland. Mr. Baxter has been booked into the Washington County Jail on the following charges:Criminal Mischief in the First DegreeTheft in the Second DegreeInvestigators believe it is very likely that Mr. Baxter may have committed similar crimes elsewhere. Anyone with information about Mr. Baxter is asked to call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111. 

On August 3, 2024, at approximately 7:10 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol deputies were alerted by community members to a drowning at Henry Hagg Lake. It was reported that an adult jumped off the fishing pier into the water. They surfaced but then struggled to swim. They submerged again and did not re-surface.Marine Patrol and Search and Rescue deputies immediately began a search effort with help from multiple agencies. The water temperature at the time of search and recovery operations was 80 degrees Fahrenheit. At approximately 9:30 p.m., the body of 32-year-old Vielman Mijail De La Cruz-Lopez was located. Mr. De La Cruz-Lopez was a resident of Cornelius. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the following agencies for their valuable assistance at the scene:American Medical Response (AMR)Forest Grove Fire DepartmentGaston Fire DepartmentHillsboro Police DepartmentLake Oswego Fire Department Water Rescue TeamLake Oswego Fire Department Dive TeamTualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Water Rescue TeamWashington County Medical Examiner’s OfficeWashington County Parks

 Update: Man Arrested for Homicide at Horning’s Hideout On Monday, July 29, 2024, a Washington County Grand Jury indicted Robert Horning for the homicide of Carl Horning, which took place on January 2, 2024. Members of the Tactical Negotiations Team assisted investigators with taking Robert Horning into custody after the indictment. Robert Horning was safely taken into custody and lodged in the Washington County Jail for murder in the second degree and unlawful use of a weapon. ________________________________________________________________Update: Names Released in Ongoing Homicide InvestigationOn Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 9:35 a.m., Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to reports of a shooting at Horning's Hideout, located at 21277 NW Brunswick Canyon Road.When deputies arrived, they found an adult male, later identified as 47-year-old Carl Horning, with multiple gunshot wounds. The first deputy on the scene attempted to provide aid, but unfortunately, Carl did not survive.Additionally, 63-year-old Robert Horning was present at the scene and was initially detained by the arriving deputies. Robert was released several hours later. Currently, Robert is considered a person of interest in the homicide investigation.Robert and Carl are brothers. No further information about the investigation is available at this time._________________________________________________________________Homicide Investigation Underway – Violent Crimes Detectives On Scene On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 9:35 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of a shooting at Horning’s Hideout located at 21277 NW Brunswick Canyon Road. Upon arrival, the deputies found one deceased adult and detained another person. Currently, no additional information about the deceased adult or the individual is being released. Our Violent Crimes Unit detectives are investigating the incident at the scene.Detectives believe there is no danger to the public at this time.   ************************************************************Note to the editors: The family has asked for privacy and not to be contacted at this time. 

On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 3:18 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported theft near 20925 SW Tualatin Valley Highway. The witness called the police after finding an unknown man entered their parked vehicle. When confronted, the man pulled out a sword, threatened the caller, and fled the location on foot before police arrived. Arriving deputies contained the area and called for a K9 to track the suspect. Sergeant Pelletteri and K9 Maize located the suspect in approximately ten minutes. He was taken into custody without incident. Deputies located the sword nearby. The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Andrew Grayson of Beaverton. Grayson was arrested and lodged in the Washington County Jail. On Wednesday, July 19, 2024, a Washington County Grand Jury indicted Grayson for the crimes of robbery in the first degree (two counts), unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing. 

On Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 03:49 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a vehicle on fire in the 20600 block of SW Rockport Lane in Beaverton to assist Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. The caller dialed 911 to report a vehicle on fire in the driveway of a home and a person in all-black clothing running from the scene. The engulfed vehicle was close to the house and threatened to catch the residence on fire. The home was unoccupied at the time. Deputies searched the area, but the suspect was not located. If you have any information about this incident, Investigators would like to hear from you. Contact non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case 50-24-10551.

On Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 5:43 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a suspected drowning at Jurgens Park in Tualatin. Deputies received a call about a man who went underwater while swimming with his child. Community members on the river helped the child to safety and began searching for the man but could not find him. Deputies responded along with officers from the Tigard and Tualatin Police Departments, American Medical Rescue, Lake Oswego Fire Department, and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. Responders recovered the body of 42-year-old Jeremiah Joshua Baldwin of Tualatin. The initial investigation indicates that Baldwin was not wearing a life jacket and struggled to stay above water while helping his child stay afloat. Baldwin’s family has been notified of his death, and the Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating. The Sheriff’s Office is thankful for the community members who assisted in getting the child to safety.