Astoria Police have received reports today that someone is spoofing the Police Department’s official phone number, 503-325-4411and is posing as an Officer in Administrative Services.  The imposter provides a number to call which leads to a voicemail box with a person claiming to be our actual Administrative Services Manager and directs people to leave a call back number.  The caller claims to have legal documents and that it is imperative that they be called back.   It is important to be aware that scammers may use different types of ruses, like claiming arrest warrants exist or that the call is regarding a background check.  Despite the type of ruse the end result is the same.  The scammer is trying to obtain money or personal information.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a police officer, and asking you to move money, provide bank account pin information or in any other way send funds; it is a scam and you should hang up and report it to your local law enforcement agency.   “This is not how legitimate police agencies operate”, said Deputy Chief Eric Halverson.  “Don’t provide any information, just hang up and call your local law enforcement agency”, Halverson said.

In response to this fraudulent activity, the police department advises the community to verify the authenticity of any call claiming to be from their department or an officer.  Residents receiving calls they question or believe are fraudulent are encouraged to contact the Astoria Police Department Dispatch Center directly by calling 503-325-4411 to confirm the legitimacy of any communication.

On 01/30/2024 at 2:10 AM, Astoria Emergency Communications Center received a report of a structure fire at 66 W. Bond Street. Prompting a response by Astoria Fire Department, Astoria Police Department, Knappa Fire Department, Lewis and Clark Fire Department, Warrenton Fire Department, Olney Walluski Fire Department and Seaside Fire Department. On arrival the residence was engulfed in flames.  Two residents staying in the basement apartment were able to evacuate the building on their own.  Police Officers ended up forcing entry into the neighboring residence and were able to evacuate a single occupant there.  That home sustained fire damage as well.

The 911 caller who was passing through the area observed a male subject in the yard of the residence as it was in flames.  That individual was determined not to be related to either residence and was transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital for an unrelated medical issue.

The Clatsop County Fire Investigation Team, and Detectives from Astoria Police Department, Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, Cannon Beach Police Department, Seaside Police Department and the Oregon State Police Arson Unit conducted a fire cause investigation at the scene.

Following the investigation, 52-year-old Derrick Brett Gill of Pacific County Washington was arrested on 2 counts of Arson in the First Degree, 3 Counts of Reckless Endangering and 2 Counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree.

On 01/27/2024 at 10:01 AM Astoria Emergency Communications Center received a report of a slow moving mud slide in the area of 27^th and Grand Ave.  Astoria Police responded and contacted affected residents and notified City public works officials who also responded to assess the situation.  Astoria Public Works has closed the section of 27^th street that leads to the base of the mudslide, as a precautionary measure.  Currently there are seven dwellings accessed by this section of 27^th Street that have been impacted.

Public Safety Officials are asking that people who are not residents of the area stay away from the area.

On 12/29/2023 at 11:49 AM, Astoria, Police Department, Fire Department, and Medix Ambulance responded to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic crash.  The victim was transported by ambulance to Columbia Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  While the investigation is ongoing, preliminary investigation indicates that the victim, 79-year-old Edward Mosey was crossing in a crosswalk from south to north at Marine Dr. and 17th street when he was struck by a 2016 Honda CRV operated by 70-year-old Yvonna Soule of Ocean Park Washington.  Soule remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

An Oregon State Police Traffic Crash Reconstructionist is on scene presently conducting a scene investigation.  Astoria Police are also being assisted at the scene by Oregon Department of Transportation.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash who were not interviewed by police are asked to contact Senior Officer Cory Gerig at 503-325-4411 or by email at cgerig@astoria.or.us.

Monday Press Log

On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at about 8:03 pm, Astoria Police and Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic crash in the 200 Block of West Marine Drive.   Based on preliminary investigation, 66-year-old May Fisher of Lacey Washington was dressed in dark clothing and was crossing from South to North in the mid-block of West Marine Drive when she was struck by a Westbound vehicle operated by 46-year-old James Kincheloe of Warrenton, Oregon.  Mr. Kincheloe remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.  Fisher was initially transported by Medix Ambulance to Columbia Memorial Hospital and was later transferred via Life Flight to a Portland area hospital.

Astoria Police and Fire Department were assisted at the scene by the Warrenton Police Department, Oregon State Police, ODOT incident response and an Oregon State Police Traffic Crash Reconstructionist.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not been interviewed by police is asked to contact Officer Zach Stockton of the Astoria Police Department at 503-325-4411, or by email at zstockton@astoria.or.us.

Thursday Press Log

SUNDAY PRESS LOG

Astoria Police have received reports today that someone posing as a Law Enforcement Officer from the Astoria Police called asking for personal information and for money.  The callers will “spoof” or fake the Astoria Police Department phone number so the call appears to be coming from the Astoria Police Department.  Recent calls have involved the caller claiming a person failed to appear regarding a legal issue and asking for personal information. Other common tactics in these types of Government Impersonation Fraud involve scammers attempting to get the call recipient to send money.  These calls are fraudulent; any legitimate law enforcement officer will not demand cash or gift cards from a member of the public.

To protect yourself from falling victim to this scam, be wary of answering phone calls from numbers you do not recognize.  Do not send money or gift cards to anybody you do not personally know and trust.  Never give out your personal information, including banking information, social security number or other personally identifiable information, over the phone to individuals you do not know.