On January 8th, 2016, at approximately 7:45 AM Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a report of a man breaking into a vehicle at an address on Brush Trail Road near Eddyville. During the response by deputies, the complainant reported the male left the area toward a neighbor’s house followed by gunshots and screaming. The complainant reported she could not reach the neighbor. Additional deputies responded. The complainant advised that the gunshots appeared to have come from the area of the school bus stop where a school bus was currently located and occupied by children.
Responding deputies located the male subject walking along Highway 20 in the area and took him into custody without incident. The subject, identified as Jeffrey Alan Rodgers age 22 of Dallas, OR, was not armed and not injured, but was cold, wet and disoriented. The investigation determined the school bus was not involved in the incident, but a child waiting for the bus was approached by Rodgers who frightened her causing her to run home. The father of the child safely discharged a firearm to scare the subject away who was then intercepted by deputies. It was additionally learned that the original complainant saw Rodgers attempting to steal her vehicle and also safely discharged a firearm causing Rodgers to flee from her property. The firearms were discharged into the air and ground.
Further investigation revealed that Rodgers was involved in a pursuit by Benton County deputies the night before and evaded capture in the area of Eddyville. Rodgers was transported by ambulance to the Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport where he is currently being treated for exposure and intoxication. Rodgers is under guard at the hospital and, when medically cleared, will be lodged at the Lincoln County Jail. His charges include a NO BAIL Parole Board warrant and the additional charges of; Criminal Mischief II, Attempted Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Unlawful Entry Into a Vehicle (three counts) with a total bail of $110,000.00. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office was contacted regarding Rodgers’ arrest for possible pending charges related to the pursuit.
