On June 1, Oregon State Police issued a press release pleading for the public’s help to identify the individuals responsible for the illegal killing of a pair of bull elk in the Scappoose area of Oregon.
After receiving a call on May 29, the Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division responded and found the two elk dead, determining they had been shot and left to waste. A reward of $1,000 was offered for information leading to an arrest, comprising of $500 from the Oregon Hunters Association Turn-It Poacher program and $500 from the Oregon Hunters Association Columbia County Chapter.
Three weeks down the line and authorities have finally received the anonymous tip they needed to slap the cuffs on a trio of offenders. Esgar Garcia, 31, admitted to shooting both of the elk as well as shooting deer at night on the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. He was arrested on suspicion of two counts of the unlawful take of a bull elk, two counts of waste of game animal and felony possession of a firearm.
Officers also arrested an unnamed 16-year-old who also admitted to firing at the elk using an AR-15 rifle along with Lionzo Garcia-Rodgriguez, 41, who was arrested on suspicion of aiding in a wildlife violation by the unlawful take of a bull elk.
In addition to the pending charges, police seized 12 rifles, shotguns and handguns, two homemade sound suppressors and the unlawfully acquired deer antlers.
H/T: TDN
Image: Oregon State Police
