Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Not all calls for service may be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate and may be omitted if they could identify victims of crimes of a sensitive nature, such as sexual abuse or stalking. Individuals are identified in the log only if arrested on felony charges. Juveniles are not identified. People arrested or suspected of crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
FRIDAY, OCT. 9
• 7:55 p.m. — BCSO responded to a residence on Botkin Road to take an identity theft and second-degree theft report. According to an incident report, a 31-year-old Philomath man said his debit card information was used on Sept. 13 at a Best Buy store in Texas, and the unknown suspect returned the merchandise at another Best Buy about 30 minutes away. His credit union refunded him $822.68. A Texas deputy sent BCSO a photo of a man at the cash register at the time of the refund. The case was discontinued because there were no investigative leads.
MONDAY, NOV. 2
• 7:58 a.m. — BCSO responded to Fort Hoskins Historic Park on a report of illegal dumping. According to an incident report, a park caretaker reported that someone had filled a dumpster with personal household trash. A deputy later talked with a 24-year-old Philomath woman who lives nearby, and she admitted putting her extra trash in the dumpster. She apologized, and the park agreed a warning was enough.
• 1:59 p.m. — BCSO stopped a vehicle on Highway 20 near milepost 43 for a traffic violation. According to an incident report, the investigation led to the arrest of James Marvin Hardison, 66, of Newport, on an active fugitive warrant out of Merced County, Calif. According to a fugitive complaint the Benton County District Attorney’s Office filed Nov. 3 in Benton County Circuit Court, Hardison is charged with felony vandalism in California. He was lodged at the Benton County Jail pending extradition. The jail roster also lists charges of reckless driving and reckless endangering. As of Nov. 13, he remained in custody with bail set at $25,000.
TUESDAY, NOV. 3
• 12:52 a.m. — BCSO responded to Highway 34 near milepost 51 on a reported deer-versus-vehicle crash. According to an incident report, the driver, a 75-year-old Silverdale, Wash., man, had actually crashed into the ditch and bank along the highway. The deputy noted the driver had bloodshot, watery eyes and seemed confused, and the driver agreed to field sobriety tests. The driver was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving. He was booked at the Benton County Jail and released, and the deputy gave him a ride to Denny’s.
• BCSO investigated on Nov. 3 a second-degree criminal trespass on Starker Forests land on Norton Creek Road near milepost 3 in the Blodgett area. According to an incident report, three males were involved. No other information was provided.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4
• 11:13 a.m. — BCSO contacted a woman at the bus stop in front of Philomath Market in the 1400 block of Main Street. According to an incident report, the 30-year-old Philomath woman had an active Albany Municipal Court warrant for failing to appear on a criminal citation. She was arrested on the warrant, then cited and released.
THURSDAY, NOV. 5
• 9:04 a.m. — BCSO responded to a public indecency report on Norton Creek Road near Vanderpool Lane in the Blodgett area. After an investigation, a 42-year-old Blodgett man was arrested on a misdemeanor public indecency charge and lodged at the Benton County Jail.
SUNDAY, NOV. 8
• 8:25 p.m. — BCSO stopped a Chevrolet S10 pickup going east on Highway 20 near Garrett Lane because its Oregon temporary trip permit had expired in August 2025. According to an incident report, after an investigation, the driver, Randall Scott Curtis, 60, of Corvallis, was arrested on charges of being a felon in possession of a restricted weapon, possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor driving while suspended. Curtis was taken to the Benton County Jail, where he was booked and released. He was also cited in lieu of custody on a separate driving while suspended allegation from Nov. 4. The pickup was left at the scene.
MONDAY, NOV. 9
• 3:14 p.m. — BCSO responded to a property on Peterson Road on a theft report. According to an incident report, a 62-year-old Philomath woman reported that five dozen eggs worth $20 had been stolen from her farm stand. The deputy collected video of the theft to help identify a suspect.
• 3:35 p.m. — BCSO responded to Highway 20 near milepost 44 on a single-vehicle crash. According to an incident report, an eastbound car hit standing water during heavy rain. The driver braked, and the car pulled to the right, crossed the fog line and hit the guardrail. The driver, a 32-year-old Sweet Home man, was taken to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.