Written by Kelly A. Soltwisch, Chief Civil Deputy Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Published: 26 February 2018

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports from Bridgeport area businesses that they are being contacted by persons claiming to represent the Douglas County Public Utility District (PUD) requesting payment over the phone for overdue account balances. 

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed with the PUD that these calls are not legitimate and it is not a standard PUD practice to ask customers for sensitive financial information over the phone.

If you receive a similar call or any call you feel is suspicious in nature, do not give out your personal financial information. 

Please report any suspicious calls to law enforcement by calling: (509)663-9911.

Written by Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal

Published: 26 February 2018

Case # 18D00457 – On 01-22-18 at approximately 8:00 pm a Douglas County Deputy arrested Michelle Casarez, a 28 yoa female of Bridgeport, on an arrest warrant outside of an apartment in the 700 block of Fairview Avenue in Bridgeport. The arrested subject requested to leave her blanket and retrieve her cell phone from one of the apartments. While at the apartments, the Deputy made observations leading to attaining a search warrant of the apartment for stolen property. While serving the search warrant, Deputies recovered a large amount of stolen property from burglaries, which had occurred in Douglas County, Okanogan County and Chelan County. The property recovered, included items such as, coins, tools, electronics, firearms, and silencers. As a result of the investigation Deputies arrested Francisco Leyva-Saucedo, a 29 yoa male of Bridgeport, for Possession of stolen property in the 1^st degree, Possession of a stolen firearm, and unlawfull possession of a firearm 1^st degree. Douglas County deputies also arrested Crystal M. Sanabria, a 28 yoa female of Bridgeport, for Possession of stolen property 1^st degree and Possession of a stolen firearm. Both subjects were booked into Okanogan County Jail.

Case # 18D00662 - On 02-03-18 at approximately 8:15 pm a Douglas County Deputy stopped a vehicle for failing to use a turn signal, in Bridgeport. The Deputy contacted the driver, Rebecca N. Norton, a 28 yoa female of Coulee Dam and the passenger Daniel J. Marsden, a 27 yoa male of Omak. While speaking with them the deputy observed a gun case in the back seat. After some questioning, the deputy cited and released the driver for infractions. Based on observations and information gathered at the stop, Douglas County Deputies re-contacted and seized the vehicle to apply for a search warrant. After the search warrant was attained deputies located two rifles, one stolen pistol, stolen ammunition and narcotics. Deputies then re-located and arrested Rebecca Norton for possession of stolen firearm, carry firearms loaded in a vehicle, loaded rifle in a vehicle and possession of stolen property in the third degree. Daniel Marsden was arrested and charged with Possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree, possession of stolen firearm, carry firearms loaded in a vehicle, loaded rifle in a vehicle, and possession of stolen property in the third degree. Both subjects were booked into Okanogan County Jail.

Written by Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal

Published: 12 January 2018

On 01/05/17 at approximately 9:43 AM a Douglas County Deputy on routine patrol in Rock Island spotted a vehicle in the BJ’s truck stop.  A vehicle license check revealed that an associated person had warrants.  As the vehicle left the parking lot, the Deputy stopped it and contacted the driver, 28 year old Jason Blomquist of Wenatchee.  He was found to be driving on a suspended license.  He also had a felony DOC warrant.  He was arrested and booked without incident.

On 01/05/18 at approximately 3:00 PM a Douglas County Deputy on routine patrol spotted a male in the Mansfield School Parking lot.  The Deputy knew the individual to have previous arrests.  He ran the subject’s name and found he had a warrant for his arrest.  The subject, identified as 40 year old Lester Haney of Mansfield, was arrested and booked without incident.

On 01/09/17 at approximately 4:40 AM a Douglas County Deputy on routine patrol in Bridgeport, WA stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation.  The passenger in the car matched a person known to have warrants.  The Deputy confirmed the warrants and attempted to take the person into custody.  The person tried to shed his coat saying it belonged to someone else. He struggled with the Deputy who then handcuffed him.  In the coat pocket he found a baggy filled with a substance he suspected to be methamphetamine.  The subject, 34 year old Olegario Duran of Bridgeport, was arrested and booked for possession of methamphetamine and a misdemeanor warrant.

Written by Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal

Published: 12 January 2018

On 01/05/18 at approximately 6:33 AM a Douglas County Deputy responded to the 400 Blk. of Hwy 173. Fire units were engaged in fighting a house fire. When the Deputy arrived, he saw the home was fully engulfed in flames.

There had been three residents inside the home. An adult male, Michael (Pat) McFadden, an adult female, Taralee Martin, and her eight year old son. All had escaped.

Ms. Martin told the Deputy she had awakened to rumbling sound in the house. She opened her bedroom door and saw flames in the hallway. She woke up Mr. McFadden. He quickly got up, ran into the eight year old’s room, scooped up the child, and fled down the hallway, through the flames, and out an exterior door. Ms. Martin was able to escape out a window. The Deputy reported the home appeared to be a total loss.

Mr. McFadden and the eight year old boy were transported to Three Rivers Hospital in Brewster. Ms. Martin had singed hair but no apparent injuries. Mr. McFadden and the eight year old boy sustained burns, but their current condition is unknown.

Mr. McFadden is the basketball coach at Bridgeport High School. The community can be proud of this couple’s quick actions in the face of this life threatening event.

Written by Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal

Published: 31 December 2017

On 12/20/17 A Douglas County Deputy and a Chelan County Correctional Officer flew to Los Angeles to pick up 25 year old Armondo Morales-Cervantes of Bridgeport from the Los Angeles County Jail. He was booked at the Okanogan County Jail without any incident.

Morales-Cervantes had been arrested at the Bridgeport School on 10/19/17 for making threats to kill and for bringing a firearm onto the school grounds at Bridgeport High School. He had been released and had been on the lam for about four months before being picked up by LAPD officers on a nationwide non-extraditable warrant.

Written by Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal

Published: 11 December 2017

On 12/10/17 at 1:56 AM, a Douglas County Deputy on routine patrol spotted a vehicle driving recklessly on Tacoma St. and 21st in Bridgeport. 

The Deputy turned on his emergency lights and siren, but the car sped away.  The car ran six stop signs as the Deputy pursued.    The suspect vehicle drove into the PUD parking lot.   When the Deputy pulled in behind vehicle, the driver put the car in reverse and rammed the patrol car.  The pursuit continued. 

The suspect vehicle had a flat tire and eventually was forced off the road.  She resisted arrest.  The vehicle was found to be stolen from Bridgeport on 12/08/17. 

The female driver, 24 year old Yvon Lopez-Flores of Bridgeport, was arrested for a possession of a stolen vehicle, felony eluding, and DUI.  There was a passenger, 20 year old Christopher Rodriguez of Bridgeport, who was arrested for a DOC warrant. 

The criminals were booked into the Okanogan County Jail without further incident. There were no injuries. 

Written by Herb Sargo

Published: 06 December 2017

BUCKNER HOMESTEAD HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Looking for a stocking stuffer, a special gift to commemorate a memory or loved one, or to create a sense of caring and nurturing in a young person? Consider giving an adopted tree at the Buckner Orchard for 2018.

 

If the Buckner Orchard is going to continue as the treasure we know it to be, it must have caretakers now, as well as long into the future. What better way to ensure that future than by giving a child a gift of a tree?

 

The response of children who received trees is touching. They picked out their trees, wanting "to grow up" with a younger tree, pulling weeds, placing mouse guards, and running water to "their tree". They have become attached to "their" tree and now have a wonderful opportunity to care and help nurture a living thing for many years to come.

 

TREES ARE NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN!. Maybe you know someone who doesn't get to Stehekin often enough, who has a special memory of the Orchard, or you just want to support the work of the Foundation in caring for the Orchard. The adoption of trees also raises awareness of the Orchard and its care. 

 

Adopt-A-Tree is one way in which you can support the work of the Foundation in caring for the Buckner Orchard.  With your support much can be done to protect and conserve the heritage of this national treasure, and to continue its place as an important part of the Stehekin Community.

 

 Adopt a tree for yourself and be a part of the Buckner Orchard!

 

Adopt-A-Tree funds are used exclusively to support the care and maintenance of the Buckner Orchard and are tax deductible.

 

HOW TO ADOPT A TREE

 

Step 1. E-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to ensure a certificate arrives in time, providing the first and last name of the person the gift is being given to, as well as the address to which you would like it sent.  Be sure to include your e-mail address; this saves the Foundation both time and money in getting the receipt to you.

 

A personal message may be included on the certificate, such as, With love and fond memories, from Grandma Cinda and Uncle Jim.  You choose the one-line wording.

 

Step  2. Mail a check (@$25.00 per tree) to the Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation at PO Box 184, Manson, WA 98831. Because some may be given as Christmas gifts, a certificate will be mailed immediately, trusting that the appropriate payment will be forthcoming.

 

Certificates can also be sent to you in PDF format via e-mail, ready to print from your computer, name of the recipient included.  Let us know your preference.

 

Renewals

 

This is also a great time to renew trees adopted during previous years. Please let us know if a new certificate is needed and follow the directions above.

 

Adopt-A-Tree is one of three means by which the Foundation raises funds to support the Orchard and Homestead. The other two are memberships and donations. Please help us today and give a gift of love and caring.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Written by Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal

Published: 30 November 2017

C#17D-06816:  On 11/28/17 at 11:30 PM Douglas County Deputies received a call of a one car rollover accident on Fancher Heights Blvd. and Inglewood Dr. 

The first Deputy on the scene found a vehicle lying on its top in the yard of a residence.  All the occupants were out of the vehicle.  The driver said she and two other passengers were in the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights.  She said as she slowed down to make a turn “her foot slipped off the gas pedal and onto the accelerator.”  The vehicle hit a curb and rolled about three times according to the driver. 

There was alcohol and a legal amount of marijuana in the car, but the driver showed no signs of impairment.  She was transported to Confluence Hospital for minor injuries. 

One passenger, who fled before deputies arrived, returned to the scene and became belligerent and cursed the investigating Deputy.  There was no reason to detain him and he left the scene while delivering some parting obscenities.  The driver was cited for Speed Too Fast For Conditions.

C#17D-06799:  On 11/28/17 at 8:45 AM a Douglas County Deputy responded to a burglary complaint at McDougal and Sons located in the 13000 Blk. of US 2. 

The reporting party, who worked at McDougal and Sons, reported that one of her family members owns a pickup.  She had occasion to look in the vehicle and saw items she knew belonged to McDougal.  The Deputy followed up by contacting another employee at the business.  He learned that someone had broken into the receiving building during the night. 

Stolen were two computers, a portable radio charger, a small utility wagon, an acid monitor, and a web cam. 

Deputies located the vehicle and suspect at a residence in Peshastin.  The suspect was uncooperative.  The vehicle was impounded and a search warrant for the vehicle was obtained.  The stolen property was found inside.  Before deputies could arrest the suspect, Department of Corrections officers arrested him for failing to comply with conditions of his supervision. 

Deputies served probable cause statements at the Chelan County Jail on 11/29/17 charging him with Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree, a class C felony.  The suspect was identified as 24 year old Maverick L. Delzer of Peshastin.

Written by Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal

Published: 22 November 2017

On 11/21/17 at approximately 12:22 PM, a Douglas County Deputy on routine patrol spotted a suspicious vehicle parked in the parking lot of the Rock Island BJ’s.  There were two males siting inside. 

As the Deputy approached the window, he saw one male holding drug paraphernalia while trying to open a small bag of a brown substance which appeared to be heroin.  The Deputy directed the two subjects out of the vehicle and the person holding the suspected drugs was placed under arrest.  A consensual search of the vehicle yielded two bags of  heroin and prescription medication for which the suspect did not have a prescription.  He was arrested without incident and booked at the Chelan County Jail for possession of a controlled substance.

The suspect was identified as 28 year old Narcisso T. Alvarez of Leavenworth

The Deputy, Nick English, used good initiative and professional observation skills to get these dangerous drugs off the street and keep the suspect from creating a dangerous situation by driving under the influence.