Around the state

Published 5:51 am Friday, April 7, 2017

Police shooting — An Oregon police officer said he had warned a black teenager that carrying a fake gun might get him killed months before the teen was fatally shot by a fellow police officer. Officer Gregory Adrian met Quanice Hayes, 17, months before his death, according to a Portland Police Department report obtained by The Oregonian. The newspaper reported Wednesday that it obtained the document through a public records request after learning that Adrian wrote a special report for homicide detectives about his November encounter with Hayes.

Logging lawsuit — Fishing and conservation groups are threatening to sue the Oregon Department of Forestry, alleging it has failed to reform logging practices in the Tillamook and Clatsop state forests that harm coho salmon. One of the groups filing the intent to sue Thursday is the Center for Biological Diversity. It filed a similar notice three years ago, but held off on the lawsuit. Its endangered species director, Noah Greenwald, says the group was assured by the Forestry Department in 2014 that it would work with conservationists and the timber industry on a new management plan that would potentially protect salmon and streams. He says that has not materialized.

Mansion takeover — Seven people have been accused of taking over and vandalizing a Medford mansion while the owners were out of town. Two people were arrested Sunday when police found them trying to force open a large safe inside the ransacked home. Since Sunday, six other people have been arrested in connection with the case. One of those arrested was 53-year-old Allen Dale Mitchell Sr., a former fire staff officer with the Bureau of Land Management’s Medford District. BLM officials say they have not had contact with Mitchell since his retirement. Medford police Lt. Justin Ivens says some of the burglars had taken over the residence two weeks ago and started living there, with several other people stopping by and stealing property.

Pharmacist arrested — Oregon police say they’ve arrested a pharmacist suspected of tampering with drug records and stealing narcotic tablets sold on the street for more than $100,000. Police arrested 33-year-old Benjamin O’Rourke, of Eugene, on Tuesday on 42 counts of tampering with drug records, 42 counts of computer crimes, 42 counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, 42 counts of controlled substance fraud and first-degree theft. Officials say more than 5,000 pills were stolen. Officer Brad Hanneman says O’Rourke stole amphetamine, morphine, hydromorphone and oxycodone pills which could be sold on the street for up to $50 each.