Category Archives: Press Releases

information about incidents around Clatsop county

Arrest Made in Assault on Riverwalk

Astoria Police Officers have identified two suspects involved in an assault on the Riverwalk on May 1st, 2023. Both suspects are juveniles, one was taken into custody, and the other has been referred to the District Attorney for charges.

Astoria Police officers responded to a disturbance at the Holiday Inn located at 204 W. Marine Drive, Astoria, on May 1, 2023, at 9:13 PM.  Officers contacted a female who reported that several teenagers had assaulted her while walking on the Riverwalk.  The investigation revealed that the victim approached a group of teenagers on the Riverwalk and started conversing with them.  There was an altercation as the teenagers attempted to leave the area, and the victim was assaulted with a skateboard.  Officers identified the suspects and were able to locate them on May 3rd.  The primary offender was taken into custody, and one other teen that took part in the assault was referred to the District Attorney for charges.

Please call Detective Duryea at 503-325-4111 if you have any information about this case.

Astoria Man Arrested for Attempted Murder

This is related to the stabbing incident that occurred at the Astoria Warming Center on February 3, 2023, in which Dwayne Blair was arrested.

On February 5, 2023, Astoria Police were dispatched to the Astoria Warming Center located at 1076 Franklin Avenue in reference to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) inside the building.  The caller told dispatch that an employee had dismantled the device, but they were concerned because the staff was reluctant to notify the Police Department.

On February 3, 2022, Dwayne Douglas Blair, 58, threw the IED in the direction of a warming center employee, and it landed several feet in front of him and rolled to a stop at his feet.  The employee placed the device in a desk drawer for safekeeping when he was pulled away to deal with the stabbing in which Blair was arrested.  Another employee with military experience examined the device on February 4th, identified it as an IED, and dismantled it. It was then placed back in the drawer until Astoria Police recovered it on February 5th.  The IED was a shotgun shell encased in a plastic container wrapped in tape multiple times. There was a sharp pointed end that appeared to be able to detonate the shell.

Officers Hansen and Carrera quickly located Blair and arrested him for Attempted Murder II, Attempted Assault I, and Unlawful Possession of a Destructive Device.  He was transported to the Clatsop County Jail, where he is currently being held.

Arrest of Dwayne Douglas Blair

Astoria Police Officers responded to the Astoria Warming Center located at 1076 Franklin Avenue on February 3, 2023, at 9:15 P.M., after receiving a 911 call reporting a stabbing inside.  Officers found a single victim suffering from multiple stab wounds to his back and arm and identified 58-year-old Dwayne Douglas Blair as the suspect.  He was arrested at the scene for Assault II, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Assault IV, Attempted Assault on a Public Safety Officer, and Resisting Arrest.

The investigation shows that Blair was recently evicted from his residence and had been staying at the Warming Center. He got into a verbal altercation with a staff member over established rules while checking in and stabbed the employee.  Officers arrived and immediately rendered aid to the victim and escorted him outside so that the Astoria Fire Department could tend to his injuries.  Additional fire personnel was called inside to care for Blair, who was incoherent and had a laceration on his arm. Blair assaulted one of our police officers as they were attempting to render aid.  Blair was restrained and transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital to be medically cleared before being transported to the Jail.

Blair was released from the Clatsop County Jail through their electronic monitoring program while officers were still at the jail.  Astoria Police Personnel worked with Columbia Memorial Staff to ensure that Blair located a place to stay that allowed him to continue his medical regime without violating the conditions of his release.

Jericho Labonte is In Custody

Update: Labonte was taken into custody at the Seaside Warming Center.

The Astoria Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen on February 1, 2023, informing us that 35-year-old Jericho Labonte had posted a video of himself on Facebook placing a dead fish on the front porch of the Goonies’ house.  On February 3, 2023, we received a call from Port Security Chief Matt Hansen informing us that the vessel involved in the Coast Guard rescue earlier in the day was stolen from the Port of Astoria.  He recognized the vessel on the video, contacted the owner, and confirmed that it had been stolen.  At about the same time, we received calls from several citizens identifying the rescued victim as Labonte.  He had been transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital after the rescue as a precaution and was discharged before being identified as the suspect.

Jericho Labonte is wanted on charges of Theft I, Endangering another Person, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, and Criminal Mischief II. Please contact the Astoria Police Department at 503-325-4411 if you see Labonte.  He was last seen wearing a dark beanie-style hat, gray sweatshirt, and dark pants.

Astoria Police Department Investigates Stabbing on Halsey Road

Officers were dispatched to a stabbing at 20 Halsey Road at 7:46 P.M. on 01/27/2023.  Upon arrival, they learned that the victim had been transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital by a friend prior to their arrival, and the suspect fled West on Route 30 in a vehicle.  A responding Clatsop County Sheriff’s Deputy observed the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop.  The suspect took off at a high rate of speed, passing vehicles in a reckless manner, and the Deputy initiated a vehicle pursuit after the suspect failed to yield.  The suspect lost control near Svenson Market Road, left the road, came to stop in a ravine, and fled on foot.  He was apprehended a short time later by the Deputy, and no other vehicles were damaged in the incident. The suspect was transported to the Hospital as a precaution and medically cleared prior to being transported to the County jail, where he assaulted a Clatsop County deputy.

The Clatsop County Major Crimes Team was activated, and Astoria Police Detective A.J. Duryea is the lead investigator.  The investigation has revealed that the suspect, 31-year-old Daniel Smith of Astoria, was involved in a physical altercation outside his residence with a neighbor.  The neighbor received lacerations and stab wounds to his head and neck and has been released from the hospital.

The investigation is ongoing and the following charges have been filed:

  • Assault II
  • Felony Evading a Peace Officer
  • Misdemeanor Eluding
  • Reckless Driving
  • Reckless Endangering X’s 5
  • Criminal Mischief II
  • Menacing
  • Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Felony Assault on a Peace Officer

The Astoria Police Department would like to thank the Warrenton Police Department, Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, Seaside Police Department, and the Oregon State Police for their assistance.

Please call Detective Duryea at 503-325-4111 if you have any additional information.

Astoria Emergency Communications Center fielding numerous calls due to weather related events.

Astoria Emergency Communications Center is fielding numerous calls due to weather related emergencies including downed trees, power lines and highway obstructions.  The public is reminded that calls to 911 should be for emergencies only.  The dispatch center has been fielding a number of information requests including calls related to the length of power outages, road closures and for other information.  These calls interfere with dispatchers’ ability to answer the multitude of emergencies we are actively responding to.  Requests for information about power outages and road closures should be directed to the appropriate authority, not the Emergency Communications Center.

When possible, the public is encouraged to avoid travel at this time due to a number of road closures and road hazards occurring in the county.  The public should expect highway delays as responders are actively responding weather related emergencies across the county.

 

Astoria Police Seek information related to fatal traffic crash involving bicyclist

On 11/29/2022 at 5:33 PM Astoria Police Department responded to a report of a bicyclist who had been struck by a vehicle in the area of 11 W. Marine Drive.  The cyclist was deceased upon the officers arrival.  At this time the investigation of the crash is ongoing and is being led by the Astoria Police Department with the assistance of the Clatsop County Major Crimes Team.  The victim has not been identified and the scene investigation is still underway. Currently it is believed that a vehicle traveling East bound in the lane closest to the curb struck the cyclist causing significant head trauma and did not remain at the scene.  Anyone traveling in the area at the time who may have witnessed this crash or who has information related to the crash are requested to contact Astoria Police Detective A.J. Duryea at 503-325-4411 or by email at aduryea@astoria.or.us.

Traffic Signals Not Working?

Traffic signals provide clear indication to drivers when it is safe to stop, go or slow down. In rare cases, a traffic signal may become inoperable, or the device may flash certain colors. If you approach an intersection and see the traffic signal is not functioning normally, follow these rules:

Flashing Red: If the traffic signal is flashing red, treat it as a stop sign and come to a complete stop at the intersection. Look carefully in all directions before proceeding. Other directions may have a different type of signal indication.

Flashing Yellow: If the traffic signal is flashing yellow, proceed cautiously through the intersection. You should also slow down and observe cross streets to determine if it is safe to proceed.

Inoperable (No Lights): If the traffic signal is completely inoperable, treat it as a 4-Way STOP. Remember that other drivers may not know how to react when a traffic signal is inoperable. Always stay alert and proceed cautiously through an intersection. No matter the condition of a traffic signal, you should always observe cross streets and other drivers to make sure you can proceed safely.

If the signal is on the state highway, you can call ODOT at1 (888) 275-6368. Otherwise call the Police Non-Emergency Line at (503) 325-4411.

Astoria Emergency Communications to resume operations in Astoria on May 9th, 2022

The City of Astoria has reached the end of the agreement for the combined dispatch center between the City of Astoria and the City of Seaside.  Astoria dispatchers will be resuming operation from the Astoria Emergency Communications Center effective at 6:00 AM on Monday May 9th.  The combined dispatch merger between Astoria and Seaside went into effect in November of 2021 with the goal of increasing staffing numbers for Astoria.  While some progress was made, it will take a few more months to realize the desired minimum number of staff for full operations.  In the meantime, Seaside has agreed to temporarily assign a certified dispatcher to Astoria on a full-time basis until a trainee nearing completion, is released to full status.  Astoria Emergency Communications Center will continue hiring efforts and still needs to hire and train 5 additional staff to meet the center’s authorized staffing.

“As we continue to address our staffing needs, our main priority continues to be to answering emergency 911 calls and managing our emergency responders in the field” said Interim Police Chief Eric Halverson. “In circumstances where our dispatchers are handling those types of calls, there may be delays in the length of time it takes for us to answer non-emergency lines. We would request the public’s patience if that is the case”, he said.