Update from earlier press release on the weather-related fatality from 9:30 am, today’s date.
Now that the next of kin have been notified, we are releasing the name of the deceased:
Debra Kay Burnett, Age 50
Resident of Astoria
Debra was a delivery driver for the Oregonian and was on her route delivering newspapers just prior to the unfortunate accident
On 12/27/2017 at about 8:43 am Astoria Police were contacted about a male subject associated with a Red Ford F150 vehicle, who was possibly trespassing on boats at North Tongue Point. The identity of the man was unknown at the time.
At 10:01 am Officers responded to the area of North Tongue Point because the man had returned. Officers made contact with 27 year old Timofey Erofeeff of Scotts Mills Oregon. Officers were investigating the previous trespass complaint and learned that Erofeeff was a corrections offender out of Deschutes County Oregon. Officers made contact with Erofeeff’s parole officer to advise that Erofeeff was being charged with Criminal Trespass II. Officers were advised to take him into custody for the Parole Violation as well. When the officers went back up to Erofeeff’s vehicle, Erofeeff drove off and was pursued for a short distance by officers. Erofeeff then drove the vehicle onto Pier 2 of North Tongue Point. Officers did not pursue the vehicle onto the pier, but Erofeeff continued driving the vehicle off the end of the pier, into the water.
Erofeeff was able to get out of his vehicle and swim away from officers a couple hundred feet from the pier. The US Coast Guard was notified and requested to assist. Erofeeff eventually swam back to the pier but due to the height of the pier above the water and no available way to get down to him, he was provided a life vest and a floatation disc but remained in the water until employees from WCT Marine were able to reach him with a skiff and pull him out of the water. Fishing Vessel Pacific Wind also came to the area to attempt rescue of Erofeeff. “I’m thankful the men from WCT Marine and Fishing Vessel Pacific Wind” were there and willing to help.” Said Deputy Chief Eric Halverson. “Mr. Erofeeff should be thankful too.”
Erofeeff was transferred to Medix Ambulance who was waiting on shore. He was treated at Columbia Memorial Hospital for hypothermia and released to an Astoria Police officer who transported him to Clatsop County Jail where he was lodged on charges of Criminal Trespass II, Parole Violation, Attempt to Elude a Police Officer, Reckless Driving and Escape III. So far the vehicle has not been recovered from the river. Astoria Police have been in contact with the US Coast Guard regarding the vehicle to determine the next steps.
On 12/21/2017 at about 9:24 p.m. Astoria Police were dispatched to Small Stop Convenience store located at 180 Marine Dr. for what was originally reported as a theft. An Astoria Officer located a person in a nearby parking lot with a cloth covering the individual’s face. Another responding officer made contact at the store and learned that the suspect gave the clerk a robbery note, demanded money and appeared to be holding what the clerk believed was a gun or other weapon in his pocket. The clerk armed himself with a knife and did not give the suspect any money. Prior to leaving the store the suspect took a candy bar.
Clatsop County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to assist Astoria Officers at the scene.
The suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Brandon Denmark of Marietta, Georgia refused to show officers his hands and was holding something in his pocket which appeared to be silver. One officer pointed a less lethal, bean bag shotgun and advised the subject he would be bean bagged if he didn’t comply. The suspect then gave up and was taken into custody without further incident. The silver object was later determined to be a cellular phone.
Denmark was charged with Robbery II, a class B felony, Theft III, a class C misdemeanor, and Disorderly Conduct II, a class B misdemeanor. He was transported to Clatsop County Jail where he was lodged on the charges.
On 09/20/2017 8:40 PM Astoria Police Department responded to a report of a disturbance in the area of 193 Bond Street, Astoria. On arrival officers determined the disturbance was related to an Attempted Robbery in the First Degree. Officers learned that an individual reportedly armed with a handgun pointed the weapon and demanded property. The armed individual was also in the company of a female and another male subject. The suspects fled the area westbound on Bond Street in what was described as a black car. The victim was unable to provide any additional information on the vehicle. The Astoria Police Department is requesting anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or who has information about the identity and whereabouts of the suspects contact the Astoria Police Department at 503-325-4411, or Detective Ken Hansen by email at khansen@astoria.or.us The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.
On 08/26/2017 at 03:56 hrs. Astoria Police and Fire Department were dispatched to Astoria Warehousing for a report of a large fire located in pallets stored on the pier behind a locked gate. Due to the size of the fire, mutual aid was requested from Warrenton Fire Department. The US Coast Guard also responded from Station Cape Disappointment due to piles of burning pallets falling into the river.
At this time the exact cause of the fire is unknown but the circumstances and location in the pallet stacks where the fire started are suspicious. Anyone who may have witnessed people in the area early this morning, or who have information regarding the fire are asked to contact Astoria Police Detective Ken Hansen at 503-325-4411, or by email at khansen@astoria.or.us.
Officer Gerig is still trying to locate victims from the car prowls a few days ago. He still has cell phones, a GPS, two large flat screen TVs, and sunglasses along with several other minor items that he is looking for the owners of. The area the suspect appeared to have started in is the area of Peter Pan Market (7th and Niagara), working his way down through Coast Guard housing and then around Alameda where he was finally caught near the 200 block of Alameda. The TVs were not taken during the car breaks in but were recovered during the investigation and could have come from anywhere. Many of the victims, so far, did not realize their vehicles had been entered until contacted by Officers with their property. Please check your vehicles if you live in the neighborhoods around these areas and contact Officer Gerig if you suspect your vehicle may have been entered.
You can reach Officer Gerig at 503-325-4411 or cgerig@astoria.or.us
On 08/13/2017 Officer Cory Gerig and Sergeant Chris McNeary arrested 27 Year old Karac Anderson of Astoria, in the 300 Block of Alameda Ave, for charges including Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Trespass II and Theft I. Investigation showed that Anderson was in possession of items from at minimum, 9 different unlocked vehicles. Though Officers were able to identify some victims and return their property there is still a number of items believed to have been stolen which they have not been able to identify owners for.
The Astoria Police Department would like to remind its citizens and visitors to remember to lock their vehicles whenever left unattended.
If your vehicle was entered over the weekend of August 12th -13th, in the city of Astoria, please contact Officer Cory Gerig at 503-325-4411 or Cgerig@Astoria.or.us.