Illegal Camp Found Near Where Corvallis Wildfire Started; One Man Arrested
Police have not yet said if the man arrested had anything to do with the wildfire that started late Friday night.
(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) — The day after a large wildfire scorched land north of the City of Corvallis Friday night, Benton County Sheriff’s Deputies were called in Saturday night to Chip Ross Park after firefighters discovered an illegal camp.
Deputies were called around 10:30 p.m. while fire crews were still mopping up hot spots, and found one of the campers, John Cerruti. During their investigation, a deputy found that Cerruti was in possession of methamphetamine, and when confronted by the deputy he sprinted away. The deputy began to chase Cerruti, however lost track of him in the brush.
That’s when the Benton County Sheriff’s Office newest K-9, Xander, was called to the scene and immediately tracked Cerruti to a yard of a house in the 2600 block of NW Century Drive.
Cerruti was hiding in brush, and deputies had to pull Cerruti out kicking and rolling his body in an attempt to flee.
While trying to take Cerruti into custody Cerruti attempted to kick Xander in the face and his handler Deputy Goller, in the legs. Recognizing the threat, Xander bit Cerruti's calf, causing a small laceration, deputies said.
The deputies were able to handcuff Cerruti, provide medical assistance, and transport him to the Benton County Jail, where he was charged with the following crimes: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Criminal Trespass x 2, Resisting Arrest, Escape III, Interfering with a Peace Officer, and Tampering with Evidence.
"Canines are invaluable tool that prove their value everyday. We find many suspects that we normally would not have," said Sheriff Scott Jackson.
Video from the scene Friday night by Salem News Journal photographer Jerry Freeman:
