Cottage Grove, OR – A physical altercation led to the arrest of a Cottage Grove man late Saturday night, with multiple law enforcement agencies collaborating in a manhunt to locate the suspect.
At approximately 10:20 p.m. on April 12, deputies from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a physical dispute in the 32100 block of Rachel Road, located south of Cottage Grove. The victim was able to separate from the suspect, later identified as 29-year-old Devin Derry Morgan, who fled the scene on foot.
The responding deputy quickly learned that Morgan had fled into a nearby area of railroad tracks. A search ensued as deputies gathered additional information that led to probable cause for Morgan’s arrest on charges of strangulation and assault in the fourth degree. Meanwhile, the victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident.
A perimeter was quickly established around the area, with additional support arriving from neighboring law enforcement agencies. K9 Tito, accompanied by his handler, joined the search, while the Springfield Police Department deployed a drone to assist in locating the suspect.
As the search continued, it was determined that Morgan had sustained injuries while attempting to flee the area. After a thorough search, K9 Tito successfully tracked Morgan to a location several hundred yards away, where he was found hiding under a tree. Morgan was taken into custody without further incident.
The suspect was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries before being lodged at the Lane County Jail. Morgan now faces charges of strangulation and assault in the fourth degree.
Law enforcement agencies that assisted in the operation included the Springfield Police Department, Cottage Grove Police Department, and Oregon State Police.
The coordinated efforts between the agencies, including the use of K9 and drone technology, were critical in locating and apprehending Morgan in a timely manner, ensuring the safety of the community and securing justice for the victim.
