Monday, February 03, 2014

Officer Homero Reynaga Arrested for Vandalizing Neighbor's Vehicle


An off-duty Portland police officer was arrested in Tualatin on New Year's Eve.

Homero Reynaga, a 15-year veteran of the Portland Police Bureau, is accused of vandalizing a neighbor's vehicle on the 6400 block of Southwest Nyberg Lane.

Tualatin police were called to the scene on Dec. 31. Officers arrested Reynaga on the charge of second-degree criminal mischief and booked him in the Clackamas County Jail.

He has since been released from jail and is set to be arraigned in court on Jan. 30.

Reynaga was off-duty at the time of his arrest, according to investigators.

Police did not immediately release any details about what led up to the incident.

According to records, Reynaga was cited in July 2011 for DUI in Salem. Deputies said he drove into another car with a blood alcohol level of .24 percent, three times the legal limit.

The other driver was not badly injured. Reynaga, who was off-duty at the time of the crash, later pleaded guilty to DUII and was ordered to go through an alcohol treatment program.

His license was also suspended for one year.

Reynaga was most recently assigned to Central Precinct. He is now on paid administrative leave and his police powers have been rescinded pending an internal investigation, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

"The Portland Police Bureau does not comment on personnel matters because it could interfere with the process of conducting a neutral, objective investigation and we must protect public employees' privacy interests consistent with the Oregon Public Records Law and relevant collective bargaining agreements," according to a statement from Portland police.

University Sgt. John McGrath Arrested for "Super Extreme DUI"

A University of Arizona police officer was arrested and released Saturday evening for a Super Extreme DUI after he crashed a marked patrol vehicle while on-duty into a wall near Speedway Blvd. and Interstate-10.

According to law enforcement, UAPD Sgt. John McGrath, 27, showed symptoms of impairment following the crash. McGrath was charged with a "Super Extreme DUI", which occurs when a suspect has a .20 Blood Alcohol Content or higher.

According to Tucson Police Sgt. Pete Dugan, no one was injured in the single-vehicle accident.

McGrath was charged and released. In addition to four DUI charges, McGrath was also cited for failure to control speed to avoid a collision, and a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage.

The patrol vehicle was towed and will remain impounded for at least 30 days, in accordance with state law.

According to UAPD Sgt. Filbert Barrera, McGrath has been with the department since 2009 and was promoted to sergeant more than a year ago.

McGrath also served concurrently with the Arizona Army National Guard and recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan.

McGrath has since been placed on investigative suspension. UAPD is cooperating with the investigation.

Officer Justin Francis Laclere Accused of Having Sex with Underaged Girl

A former Phoenix police officer accused of having sex with an underage girl who wanted to get pregnant has pleaded not guilty.

Justin Francis Laclere of Gilbert faces of one count of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and one count of sexual conduct with a minor.

He's accused of having sex with the 17-year-old girl at her family's home while they were away.

Police say Laclere replied to a post the girl made on cellphone app that allows users to anonymously share photos with text.

The seven-year Phoenix police veteran resigned from the department after his arrest.