On June 29, 2016, at 8:30 AM, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a report of a burglary and sexual assault that occurred at a residence within the city limits of Waldport, OR.

Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Crime Reduction Unit immediately responded to the scene and contacted the reporting party.

The complainant reported in the early morning hours of June 29th, 2016, an adult male unlawfully entered their residence and refused to leave when asked. At the time of occurrence, the complainant was not able to call for police assistance or remove the intruder. The complainant reported the male subject committed sexual acts while in the residence and left shortly after daylight that morning.

Detectives conducted an investigation at the scene and obtained a detailed description of the male subject. Additionally, the neighborhood and local businesses were canvassed for witnesses and potential video evidence. The Sheriff’s Office then promptly broadcasted investigative information and the suspect description to multiple law enforcement agencies within the state.

The investigation remained active and later on June 29, 2016 at 5:30 PM, the Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip that a male subject matching the suspect’s description was currently at a hotel in the 500 block of SW Coast Highway, Newport, Oregon.

Detectives responded to the location and contacted a male identified as Richard K. Nygaard, 38 years old and formerly from Tuscon, Arizona. Nygaard provided a statement to the Detectives and was subsequently placed under arrest without incident. He was transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was lodged. Nygaard’s bail was set at $622,500.00. Nygaard was charged with the following crimes:

Burglary in the first degree
Sex abuse in the first degree
Unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree
Attempted rape in the first degree
Attempted sodomy in the first degree
Theft in the third degree
Interfering with making a report

Information provided by LCSO