01/31/24 – LCSO CASE #24-0522, 24-0523 – WANTED SUBJECT LOCATED BY LCSO K9S

News Release from Lane Co. Sheriff’s Office
Posted on FlashAlert: February 2nd, 2024 10:23 AM

01/31/24 – LCSO Case #24-0522, 24-0523 – Wanted Subject Located by LCSO K9s

Just before midnight, a Lane County Sheriff’s Sergeant on patrol in the Pleasant Hill area noticed a vehicle drive slowly through an intersection, then accelerate away when he turned to follow. The Sergeant quickly found the vehicle in a driveway near Enterprise Road and Hendricks Road. Knowing the residents, he confirmed the vehicle did not belong.

The vehicle was associated with Cecil Rae Needham, 49. Needham, known to be a felon on post-prison supervision, had a warrant out for his arrest for Theft 2 and a Deputy had probable cause for arrest on an unrelated Theft 2 case. Needham is well known to Deputies for his attempts to elude arrest and hide from law enforcement. They also had recent information that Needham was armed with a handgun. A female, Alexis McKenzie Roccaforte Porter, 22, was contacted in front of the house. Porter said she had just been dropped off to see a friend who lived in an RV trailer behind the house. Again, knowing the residents, the Sergeant knew this to be false. Porter was arrested on an unrelated Theft 2 warrant.

Two LCSO canines, Ripp with handler Deputy Gardner and Bruno with handler Deputy Thomas, quickly responded and began searching the property. They soon located Needham hiding in thick brush in a tree line. Despite warnings about the canines, Needham refused to comply with commands to surrender. Finally, Ripp was sent in. Once Ripp had a firm bite on one of Needham’s legs, he gave up and followed Deputies’ commands. During their investigation, Deputies located a loaded firearm and significant amount of suspected methamphetamine belonging to Needham. After being cleared by a hospital for the bite injury, Needham was lodged at the Lane County Jail on the Theft 2 warrant and new charges for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine – Felony, and Theft 2.

While our patrol deputies are out responding to calls all day every day, they also build relationships in the communities they live and work in. Conserving the peace, keeping our neighborhoods safe – and good job Ripp and Bruno!