Tribal Police help solve Lincoln City theft cases

By Danielle Frost

Grand Ronde Tribal Police helped solve a case of “Who done it?” in Lincoln City.

Between Sunday, Jan. 14, and Wednesday, Jan. 17, there were numerous thefts from vehicles, businesses and residences in Lincoln City, including the theft of emergency equipment from a North Lincoln Fire and Rescue command vehicle.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, Tribal Police stopped a vehicle at the Seaway Market that matched the description of one from where shots were reportedly fired on Highway 18. There, officers arrested Tracy Davis of Newberg, and Devyn Hopkins and Ethan Parkin, both of Salem. The three were transported to the Polk County Jail in Dallas, Tribal Police Chief Jake McKnight said.

Davis was charged with three counts of second-degree burglary and Hopkins of felon in possession of a weapon and an additional parole violation. Parkin’s booking information was not available.

Police then executed a search warrant and recovered numerous items that had been taken in car and mail thefts from the Lincoln City area, along with two handguns, one of which had been reported stolen.

Lincoln City Police were contacted to assist with the search. Items recovered included a radio, automatic external defibrillator and other equipment taken from the fire and rescue vehicle, stolen tools, the two handguns and mail. All recovered items were returned to their owners, according to a press release from Lincoln City Police, but numerous items are still missing. Police are asking anyone with information to contact 541-994-3636.

“It was really fulfilling to just get stuff back to people,” McKnight said. “We usually don’t get that opportunity. I am also glad we got those guns off the street because they were not going to be used for anything good."

McKnight also thanked the Lincoln City Police for helping with the vehicle search, the Newberg-Dundee K-9 Unit, and Polk and Yamhill deputies for their assistance in apprehending the suspects.