A 13-year-old male is in custody, suspected of cutting the trees and power
poles on Cherryville Hill and starting fires in the area.
The Sandy youth is charged with first-degree arson; second-degree arson;

reckless burning; first-degree criminal mischief, multiple counts; and second-
degree criminal mischief, multiple counts.

The suspect’s name has not been released but authorities said he lives with

his family in the Sandy area.

“The suspect is being referred to by locals as the Chainsaw Chicken due to the
fact this suspect moves under the cover of darkness and makes a lot of
noise,” said Detective.

Jim Strovink, public information officer for the Clackamas County Sheriff’s
Office, prior to the boy being taken into custody.

The arrest was made April 27 and the boy was to appear in Clackamas County
Juvenile Court April 28.

“This investigative effort and custody provides all the investigators involved
with a great sense of pride and relief,” a lead sheriff’s office investigator said.
“However, detectives are most gratified knowing the residents of this
community can once again feel safe and secure at night.”

Investigators believe the suspect is responsible for burglaries and arson
events since “at least December 2009.”

The senseless cutting of trees on Cherryville Hill – that fell across Hwy. 26 –
began in January but escalated in April to include power poles, and a tragic
accident was narrowly avoided April 11.

Molly Oregan, 20, of Brightwood, crashed her Subaru Impreza into a large
tree across the eastbound lane at milepost 31. It was a midnight collision and
Oregan – who had been celebrating her birthday – was unable to stop and
met the tree head-on.

Fortunately, she was wearing safety restraints and her airbag deployed.
She was treated at the scene for what were called “minor injuries.”
Shortly after midnight, April 16, sheriff’s officers responded to another tree
cutting incident in the same area. This time, as well as trees, deputies
discovered two PGE power poles were down as well.

PGE personnel responded to the power outage and were able to restore
service to an estimated 500 residents in the vicinity who lost power as a result
of the criminal activity.

These incidents followed in the aftermath of four other known incidents in the
same area over a two-week period in January and early February. All the
investigations indicated the trees were cut using chainsaws and axes.
Neighborhood Watch groups were formed in the Cherryville Hill area and
citizens were patrolling their community late at night in an effort to foil the
chainsaw-wielding vandal.

The key investigative break occurred during the collection of evidence from an
arson investigation that was ongoing in the same area as the chainsaw
incidents, according to CCSO authorities.