Warrenton Police Serve Search Warrant Find Drugs, Property

Warrenton, OR – On July 16, 2016 Warrenton Police Officer Robert Wirt was sent to the Fred Meyer Store to check on an RV that was camping illegally in the parking lot. Officer Wirt contacted a female who identified herself as Tiffany HOWARD but it was later determined that her name was actually Shyann HOWARD (age 29) and Tiffany was her sister. While Officer Wirt was waiting for HOWARD to get her ID he observed a syringe with a brownish substance lying on the bed. Officer Wirt also observed evidence of drug use on HOWARD and HOWARD admitted she uses drugs. Officer Wirt confirmed there was no one else in the RV and during this sweep he observed numerous items of drug paraphernalia and multiple pieces of jewelry lying around the RV.

After receiving consent from HOWARD to search the RV Officer Wirt located several plastic bags full of marijuana and items used to measure and distribute drugs. A field test on the brownish substance tested positive for heroin. There was also some white crystal substance that is believed to be methamphetamine and later field-tested positive. It was then discovered that HOWARD had a warrant out of Snohomish County, Washington. HOWARD was arrested for her warrant, False Information to Police, Identity Theft, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, and Unlawful Distribution of Marijuana. The RV and the pickup truck were seized until a search warrant could be obtained to completely search the vehicles. During this contact Officer Wirt seized 3.8lbs or marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine.

Officer Wirt applied for and obtained a search warrant for the vehicles. Both of the vehicles were searched on July 28, 2016 and the following items were located: an additional 6.86lbs of marijuana, 3.1 grams of what is believed to be black tar heroin, a Ruger .22cal firearm, numerous scales and other items associated with drug distribution, hundreds of rounds of ammunition in various calibers, numerous items of jewelry, jewelry making tools, loose gems, and multiple other items that are possibly stolen.

Some of the items had markings from Ketchikan, Alaska so Officer Wirt contacted the Ketchikan PD and will be working with them on identifying the items that were stolen from their community. A passport was also located in the RV that is now confirmed to have been stolen from the mail in the Seattle, Washington area. It is not believed that any of the items were stolen locally but the investigation continues. HOWARD and her boyfriend had driven from Alaska to Oregon where he was arrested on a warrant in Washington County. HOWARD then drove back to this area where she was contacted at Fred Meyer.

Officer Wirt is commended for his observation skills and his ability to follow a routine call through to a substantial drug seizure.

Prepared by Chief Mathew Workman, 503-861-2235, mworkman@ci.warrenton.or.us