Written by Jan Brincat, Assistant to Sheriff Brian Burnett

Published: 09 January 2020

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on January 6, 2020 shortly after 7:00 a.m., a Chelan County Sheriff’s Deputy was involved in an injury collision in the 17000 block of Highway US 97A just North of Entiat.

A vehicle traveling southbound lost control and crossed over the center line colliding with the northbound Sheriff’s Office vehicle. The driver and two passengers from the southbound vehicle were transported to Central Washington Hospital with potentially serious injuries.

The involved Deputy was transported by a Supervisor to Central Washington Hospital and released with minor injuries.

The Washington State Patrol is handling the collision investigation and it appears that weather and road conditions may have been a contributing factor.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office encourages motorists traveling in winter weather to exercise all precautions while traveling in winter weather conditions.

Written by Sergeant Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 07 November 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports a Seattle man was rescued on Tuesday evening (11/05/2019) after suffering a significant fall on Sunday while descending Cannon Mountain. Ryan Cairnes - 36 years of age – suffered serious injuries in the fall, but eventually made his way to a trail on Tuesday evening where rescuers located him. He was transported to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee where he is in stable condition with fractures to his neck, right knee, scapula and also rib injuries.

The initial call to the Sheriff’s Office reporting Cairnes as a potentially overdue climber was made on Monday at about 2:00pm by his mother in Pennsylvania. She advised that they had last heard from Cairnes at 4:05pm on Sunday – via text - while he was near the summit of Cannon Mountain which is approximately nine miles southwest of Leavenworth, WA. Family believed Cairnes had planned to be out Sunday evening, but was not certain of his itinerary and had little additional information. A search and rescue deputy with the Sheriff’s Office located Cairnes’ vehicle parked at the Stuart Lake Trailhead on Monday at 3:45pm.

On Tuesday morning, when it was determined Cairnes had not returned to his vehicle, nor made any attempts to contact family or friends, a search was initiated via air and ground assets. A Sheriff’s Office helicopter began flying a search area above Cannon Mountain and eventually located what were believed to be human tracks in the snow descending the west side of the mountain. The aircraft encountered 40-knot winds during the initial search. As the winds subsided, a team of two Chelan County Mountain Rescue personnel were inserted to a point at which they could reach the summit and begin following the tracks down the west aspect of the mountain. By 4:45pm the team could not see a continuation of the tracks as they descended the slope around the 6,000 foot elevation. Darkness set in and the search team began making their way back to the Stuart Lake Trail. As the mountain rescue members were working their way down to the trailhead, they located Cairnes on the trail. He was conscious and alert with significant injuries from the fall he suffered on Sunday. A rescue team with a wheeled litter was requested and Cairnes was taken to the trailhead where a Cascade Medical Center ambulance was staged. Cairnes was transported to the hospital in Wenatchee.

During an interview with Cairnes at the hospital on Wednesday morning, he told a Sheriff’s Office search and rescue coordinator that he believed he was going to die as he began sliding and tumbling down the mountain on Sunday afternoon. Cairnes stated he began descending the mountain summit (8,500ft elevation) shortly after sending the text to his mother in Pennsylvania on Sunday at 4:00pm. He was not having any issues during the descent until he encountered a boulder field around the 5,500 foot elevation level and was forced to alter his course to continue the decline. Cairnes said that while in a couloir, he “slipped” on what he believes was ice and began sliding uncontrollably down slope bouncing off of boulders and over ledges. Cairnes believes he slid and fell nearly 400 feet down the slope prior to coming to rest near the base of the mountain sustaining the many injuries to his body. Cairnes was wearing a climbing helmet and backpack with overnight and survival gear which he credits with cushioning some of the impacts. The backpack stayed intact during the fall and he was able to utilize his sleeping bag to stay warm through Sunday night. Cairnes did not have an emergency beacon or any cellular service to call for assistance and realizes now that he had not been specific with anyone concerning his climbing itinerary.

Due to his injuries, Cairnes made the decision to remain in place on Monday and only maneuvered himself over to a waterfall so he would have drinking water. His hope was that someone had called to report him as overdue (which did not occur until Monday afternoon).

Cairnes decided that on Tuesday morning he would begin trying to hike his way out to the west toward the Stuart Lake Trail. The injuries to his neck, scapula and ribs prevented him from carrying his backpack. He found a branch to use as a walking stick to support his very injured right knee and decided to only carry his water bottle, helmet and sleeping bag. Cairnes said he spent nearly all of Tuesday working his way to the west where he knew the trail existed. He observed the Sheriff’s Office helicopter flying in the area, but was not able to make himself visible to the crew. Cairnes entered into a forested area prior to nightfall and eventually made it down to the Stuart Lake Trail at nearly the same time the mountain rescue members were hiking back toward the trailhead (6:05pm).

Cairnes stressed that he feels lucky to be alive and appreciates the efforts of Chelan County Mountain Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office.

Written by Deputy Rich Magnussen, CCSO

Published: 05 November 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports a 60-year-old Dallas, Texas resident – Robert Jake Colburn - was killed in a climbing accident while descending Aasgard Pass approximately 15 miles southwest of Leavenworth.

On October 31, 2019 at approximately 11:00pm, RIVERCOM Dispatch received a 911 call from Colburn’s son, he advised that his dad had not returned to camp after climbing Aasgard Pass. Colburn was last seen around 3:00pm as he was descending Aasgard on his way back to camp.

This morning a Chelan County Sheriff’s Office helicopter inserted a team of four Chelan County Mountain Rescue (CCMR) personnel into the area. At approximately 1:30pm Colburn was located at approximately the 7,300-elevation level on Aasgard Pass, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Rescue personnel reported that it appeared Colburn had slipped and fallen several hundred feet. The victim was hoisted from the scene and transported to the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery.

Also assisting in the rescue were members of Chelan County Volunteer Search and Rescue.

Written by Chief Rick Johnson, CCSO

Published: 05 October 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on September 23rd and 24th, several thefts, burglaries and car prowls were reported in the Chelan area. The combined property taken in these multiple crimes was over $5,000.00.

Surveillance cameras at one of the burglary sites captured a suspicious vehicle. This vehicle was later seen driving in Chelan, was stopped, and some of the stolen property was seen in the vehicle. Both the driver and passenger from the vehicle were arrested.

A search warrant was subsequently served on the vehicle, and the stolen property was returned to the owners. Other items were recovered from the vehicle, but the owners have not yet been identified.

The suspects have been charged with Burglary 2nd Degree; Theft 2nd Degree; Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance Heroin; Possession of Burglary Tools, and Vehicle Prowl 2nd Degree.

Written by Chief Jason Reinfeld, CCSO

Published: 17 September 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on September 13th, 2019 at approximately 8:00 pm a disturbance occurred at the Moonlight Motor Lodge on School Street in Wenatchee. An employee reported a 52 year old male motel guest was in the office with a knife threatening others. While Deputies were on the way to the location, the male was seen back at his room and then subsequently running south from the motel.

Deputies arrived on scene and were able to set up a perimeter in attempt to contain the suspect in the vicinity of the motel. Washington State Patrol assisted and a CCSO K9 unit was called out as well. The victim, a 39 year old Texas man said he went to speak with the suspect and he became extremely angry. The suspect grabbed a kitchen knife and chased after him threatening to kill him. He ran into the manager’s office to get away and to call for help. The suspect followed him in and continued threatening him. At one point the knife made contact with the victim’s shoulder but there were no injuries.

Deputies searched the area extensively and were eventually able to locate him back in the motel parking lot hiding in the back seat of his vehicle. It is believed the suspect circled back around at some point during the search. He was taken into custody without incident and booked Into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center for Assault 2nd Degree and Harassment – Threats to Kill.

It is unknown at this time what caused the disturbance.

Written by Sergeant Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 11 August 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports three residences were damaged during a storm event Sunday evening in the south Wenatchee area. Residents had to be rescued from one home, but no one was injured.
The initial 911 call was received by RIVERCOM dispatch at 5:07pm as a strong lightning and rain storm moved through the area of the Squilchuck Canyon drainage just southwest of the city. The extremely heavy rain caused mud and debris flows in the Squilchuck Canyon, Pitcher Canyon and Halverson Canyon areas. Storm drains and culverts became overwhelmed quickly as water and mud began running down the roadways.

A culvert which diverts water under the lower Squilchuck Road, began eroding the downslope hillside located above Boodry Street just south of the city limits. The force of the water began creating a deep channel in the earthen slope and which forced a massive amount of rock and mud down the hillside and into a development of single-wide mobile homes. Deputies and Wenatchee Police officers responded and began evacuating the development. A river of mud, rock and other debris impacted the north side of three mobile homes nearly to the roof lines. Children were carried out of one home by deputies and Wenatchee police officers. Three of the mobile homes are now deemed uninhabitable.

The flow of water, rock and debris began to slow by 6:00pm, but more rain was predicted during the evening. Residents of 16 homes in the area were advised they should stay out of the area until the storm completely subsides. Chelan County Public Works engineers and road crews responded and began assessing the slope and clearing the affected roadways. The local Red Cross Office was contacted and was put in touch with residents of the affected homes.

Written by Sergeant Kent Sisson, CCSO

Published: 05 August 2019

(Leavenworth, WA) Sheriff Brian Burnet reports a climber was rescued from the south aspect of Dragontail Peak on Sunday morning. The male subject had hiked and free climbed to an area on the mountain to a point at which he felt that he could not safely descend or ascend without assistance.

RIVERCOM dispatch received the initial 911 call from the subject at 7:52pm Saturday evening. Hezekiel Hinshaw 25-years of age of Olympia, WA stated he had hiked up the mountain and became, “Stuck on cliffs.” Hinshaw did not have a rope or other climbing gear. He told the Sheriff’s Office search and rescue coordinator he was not injured and had water, but the remainder of his gear was at his camp at Colchuck Lake. Hinshaw was told to stay put until a rescue team could make it to him.

Chelan County Mountain Rescue was contacted and a team of four responded Saturday evening to Colchuck Lake. At approximately 5:20am Sunday the team made it to an area below Hinshaw’s coordinates on the south of Dragontail Peak and had visual and verbal contact with him. Hinshaw had to be lowered via a rope system from the ledge he was on before the team could escort him out of the area. They arrived back at Colchuck Lake by noon Sunday and were back to the trailhead by 3:45pm.

Hinshaw told SAR coordinators he mistakenly got off course while descending the mountain and came to a steep cliff area where he could not figure a safe route out.

Written by Chief Jason Reinfeld, CCSO

Published: 28 July 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports on July 24th, 2019 a female from Auburn, Washington reported her beach bag was stolen from Slidewaters in Chelan.

At the time of the report, she was tracking the phone and it was plotting Near Emerson and Woodin in Chelan.

Deputies arrived and were given a description of the beach bag. A bag matching the description could be seen plain view in the back seat of an unoccupied vehicle.

A 34 year old male subject approached the vehicle and Deputies were able to determine he was associated with it. He was identified and arrested on unrelated warrants. Credit cards and identification belonging to the victim’s husband were located on his person. He was booked into the Chelan County Regional Jail for four counts of Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree and Possession of Another’s Identification.

In interviewing the suspect, Deputies learned the owner of the vehicle, a 34 year old Marysville woman was in a nearby store. She was found exiting the store with nearly $800.00 in purchases. It was determined the victim’s credit card had been charged the exact amount.

The female was arrested and booked into the Chelan County Regional jail for four counts of Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine, and Possession of Another’s Identification.

The investigation is continuing and more charges are expected relating to the use of the stolen credit cards.

Written by Sergeant Kent SIsson, CCSO

Published: 08 July 2019

Sheriff Brian Burnett reports a 45-year-old Monitor, WA resident drowned in the Wenatchee River Sunday evening.

The male subject had been floating the river with his adult son and his pet pig near Monitor at about 6:00pm. Each were on their own floatation tube.

According to witnesses, the subjects were around the halfway point between Monitor and the Sleepy Hollow Bridge when the pig fell into the river. The 45-year-old male jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue the pig, but was seen struggling to stay afloat.

The subject’s son yelled to other people recreating on the river and the shoreline that his father had disappeared under water. Witnesses were able to locate the pig and take it to shore.

The missing subject was eventually located by Chelan County deputies downstream near the Sleepy Hollow Bridge. Deputies entered the river and pulled him to the shore.

CPR was initiated as personnel from Chelan County Fire District #1 and Ballard Ambulance arrived on scene and continued lifesaving efforts. After approximately twenty minutes, the subject was pronounced dead at the scene.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld until all family notifications have been made.