MYRTLE CREEK, Ore. (Sep. 7, 2026) — A Douglas County sheriff’s K9 helped deputies locate a burglary suspect who was hiding in tall grass after authorities responded to a reported burglary in progress Saturday night.
Deputies were dispatched at about 10:40 p.m. Sept. 5 to a residence in the 1000 block of North Gazley Road in Myrtle Creek after a caller reported two men were inside the home.
The caller also reported a woman associated with a black 2007 Honda Fit had fled after being confronted.
While responding, deputies located the Honda Fit and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, 45-year-old Amber Leigh Cates of Canyonville, was detained and later taken into custody.
At the residence, deputies contacted the victim, who reported that two men had been inside. One man had fled on foot, while the other was believed to still be inside the home.
Deputies made multiple announcements instructing anyone inside to surrender before deploying K9 Zoro to search the residence. No one responded, and the 8-year-old German shepherd did not locate anyone inside.
Deputies and Zoro then searched the surrounding property for the fleeing suspects.
Zoro led his handler into a large field and began tracking north. The K9 showed a strong interest in an area of tall grass, indicating the presence of fresh human scent, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Zoro continued tracking before turning east. After about 15 yards, a man later identified as 50-year-old Tommy Coggswell of Canyonville suddenly stood up from the tall grass with his hands raised.
Zoro barked at Coggswell as deputies took him into custody without further incident, authorities said.
Deputies and Zoro continued searching for the second male suspect, but he was not located.
Cates was booked into the Douglas County Jail on charges of conspiracy to commit a Class C felony and unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
Coggswell was booked on a charge of second-degree burglary.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 541-440-4471 and reference case No. 26-2801.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by officers from the Myrtle Creek and Cow Creek Tribal police departments.
Zoro has served with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office since September 2019. The K9 was purchased by an anonymous community donor and gifted to the agency.
The Sheriff’s Office K9 program includes three patrol K9 teams and one narcotics K9 team. The program is supported by private donations and the Friends of Umpqua Valley Police K9 Programs, a nonprofit organization that supports local police K9 teams.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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