New Police Canine Assists in First Arrest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 23, 2023

St. Helens, Ore. - On Saturday, October 21, 2023, at approximately 4:45 a.m., St. Helens officers were dispatched to a reported disturbance with a weapon at Easy2Wash car wash in St. Helens at 755 N. Columbia River Highway. It was reported that the suspect, identified as Andrew Walker, 28, threatened an individual with a knife before leaving the location on foot.

Officer Bryan Cutright and K-9 Jax were responding to the location when they observed Walker jumping over a fence on Oregon Street. Officer Cutright exited his patrol vehicle and began issuing Walker commands. Walker ignored the commands and began approaching Officer Cutright.

K-9 Jax was retrieved from the patrol vehicle. Once K-9 Jax was with Officer Cutright, Walker stopped approaching the patrol vehicle and began obeying officer commands. An additional officer arrived, and Walker was taken into custody without incident.  

Walker was lodged at the Columbia County Jail on charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Criminal Trespass II, Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon, and Disorderly Conduct II.

After interviewing the victim, police learned that Walker had thrown his knife away at the car wash before heading toward Oregon Street. Officer Cutright and K-9 Jax conducted an article search, and K-9 Jax located the knife in tall grass near the highway. The knife was taken into evidence.

“This is a prime example of how a police K-9 can reduce use of force incidents,” said St. Helens Police Chief Brian Greenway. “K-9 Jax helped keep his handler safe, and we were able to take the suspect into custody without any use of force.”

###

For further information regarding this press release, please contact Communications Officer Crystal King at cking@sthelensoregon.gov.