On July 22nd, 2017 at about 5:15 PM, Officer Nicole Riley stopped an s10 pickup truck for operating without insurance.  The driver of the vehicle did not provided identification and was detained for Failure to Carry and Present a Driver’s License.  The driver was identified as 29 year old Michael Konecny of Astoria.  Konecny was wanted for a parole violation warrant and was found to have a criminally suspended driver’s license.  As a result he was taken into custody.  During a search of Konecny a large amount of cash as well as syringes were found in his possession.  Konecney was lodged at the Clatsop County Jail on the warrant and suspended license charge. 

Officer Riley seized the vehicle Konecny was driving.   Warrenton Police Officer Wirt assisted with his drug K9 “Gabe” who alerted on the vehicle.   Application for a search warrant was made and granted by Clatsop County Circuit Court.

During a search of the vehicle on July 25th, 2017 Officers located several different types of drugs including 2 grams of heroin, 10 grams of methamphetamine, 30 suboxone prescription pills and several other drug related items.

On July 26th, 2017 Konecney was charged with additional crimes including Possession of a Controlled Substance Heroin, Possession of a Controlled Substance Methamphetamine and Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance.  He was also charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance Heroin, Delivery of a Controlled Substance Methamphetamine and Delivery of a Schedule III Controlled Substance.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

On July 19^th, 2017 Officer Duryea of the Astoria Police Department responded to a report that counterfeit twenty dollar bills had been passed at an Astoria business.  Officer Duryea located the suspect vehicle while responding to the business.  Officer Duryea subsequently arrested 29 year old Neil Dowell of Astoria for Forgery in the First Degree and DUII.  Officer Duryea seized the vehicle Dowell was driving and applied for and received a search warrant from Clatsop County Circuit Court for the vehicle. On July 21^st, 2017 Officer Duryea and Officer Riley served the search warrant where additional counterfeit currency as well as a small amount of heroin was located.

Officer Duryea developed information from this incident to obtain additional search warrants including one for a motorhome located at Highway 30 and Ivy Station Road. Officer Duryea and Officer Riley were assisted by the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office in the execution of the search warrant at this location. Additional counterfeit currency was located during the search. Though the resident of the motorhome was not present at the time the search warrant was served. Deputy Baldwin of the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office,  later located and arrested the resident, 38 year old Conrad Allyn Weirup of Astoria, on charges of Forgery I.  Weirup was in the company of 28 year old Kaneeya Pratt of Kelso Washington.  Pratt was initially arrested on outstanding warrants, and was found to be in possession of additional counterfeit currency.  Pratt was charged with Forgery I.

Anyone who believes they have information about this investigation is asked to contact Officer AJ Duryea at the Astoria Police Department, 503-325-4411.

On September 7, 2017 the Astoria Police Department will have officers on duty participating in a pedestrian safety enforcement program in conjunction with Oregon Impact. This enforcement effort will focus on drivers that fail to yield to an officer who is acting as a pedestrian that is crossing at marked as well as unmarked crosswalks.  Additionally, officers will be watching for vehicles that pass another vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.  Officers will be enforcing other traffic violations that are witnessed during this enforcement period.  The fine for failing to stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian or for passing a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian is $260.00.

The goal of the Astoria Police Department in participating in this enforcement is to increase the safety of all pedestrians and drivers in and around the City of Astoria. The enforcement project is paid for by money awarded to the Astoria Police Department by Oregon Impact.

If you have questions about this project please feel free to contact Sergeant Brian Aydt at the Astoria Police Department or by phone at 503-325-4411