Police news in brief, March 8, 2026

Sturgeon sales — March 31, troopers got information about a social media post showing someone retaining a sturgeon during a closed season, contacted the person at their residence, and determined the fish was illegally sold to them by a local Native person; the person in question was contacted at their camp and cited. The fish was donated to a local food bank.

Thefts — About 1,200 to 1,400 feet of wire was stolen, alongside two other theft attempts, and someone tried to burn the scale house at Wyeth scales, near Viento State Park. Wasco County recorded two thefts on Hwy 30 and Sevenmile Hill, and a fraud. The Dalles saw a robbery on Court Street on March 31, three ID theft calls, two theft allegations, and two burglaries called in from W. Ninth and Bargeway Road. They also recovered a stolen John Deere Gator from Multnomah County, found tootling down Hostetler Street. 

In Hood River: fake QR codes placed on parking kiosks were reported as theft by deception, vehicle broken into and purse taken, identity theft, stolen vehicle, shoplifting and a burglary.

Mental health — March 31, a person in mental crisis was reported yelling and vehicles on The Dalles Bridge, then entered DMV and was asked to leave that office. Troopers had a MCCFL crisis response team to speak with the person, who declined services, but eventually accepted a ride. The Dalles also recorded one call about mental health and two about suicide, and Wasco County three mental health calls.

Drug violations — April 2, a The Dalles officer arrested two persons on drug charges, including manufacture, distribution and possession of cocaine; both were charged with distributing cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school. March 30, trooper stopped car on I-84 and arrested driver for felony driving suspended and possession of user amounts of fentanyl.

Non-injury crashes — State police reported two: March 30, Subaru rear-ended Ram on I-84, got cited. March 31, Commercial trailer rear-ended a Subaru while turning from US-97 at Biggs Junction. In Hood River, two crashes, no injuries. Wasco County logged five vehicle crashes, The Dalles three.

Charges — March 30-April 2, Oregon State police charged people with driving suspended (one), drugs (one), warrant (one). March 22-28, Hood River police charged people with DUII (two), reckless driving (one), reckless endangering (one), theft (one), warrant (one). Other agencies don’t reveal arrests or we didn’t get them this week.

Death — March 31, Lincoln Street, The Dalles. Separately, Hood River recorded an unattended death March 26.

Missing — a missing person call was taken March 31 from W. Sixth, The Dalles.

Violence — The Dalles recorded three assault calls, six domestic violence incidents and an alleged sex crime. An assault in a Hood River parking lot was reported March 23; it turned out one male person “encroached” on another’s space, prompting a blow, then fell down and hit their head; and March 27, another assault was called in, both parties interviewed, and a report sent to the Hood River District Attorney.

Careful with that dangerous contraption — An Oregon resident was cited for reckless driving on a bike.

Swatting message at school — March 30, North Wasco County School District announced a potential “swatting” hoax message claiming a serious emergency at The Dalles High School. The caller pronounced “The Dalles” wrong and The Dalles Police said they don’t believe there’s a real, credible threat, but are investigating anyway. “Several key indicators suggest it is part of the national hoax that has been affecting school districts. Unfortunately, these incidents often become more common following spring break,” D21 said.