09/06/2026
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MYRTLE CREEK, Ore. - On Saturday, September 5, 2026, at approximately 10:40 p.m., deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a reported burglary in progress at a residence located in the 1000-block of North Gazley Road in Myrtle Creek. The caller advised there were two males inside the residence at the location and a female associated with a black 2007 Honda Fit who fled after she was confronted.
While responding, deputies located the Honda Fit and conducted a traffic stop. Deputies detained the driver, 45-year-old Amber Leigh Cates of Canyonville. She was later taken into custody.
Upon arrival, deputies contacted the victim who reported that there had been two males were inside the residence. The victim advised that one male had fled on foot while the second was possibly still inside.
K9 Zoro was deployed inside the residence after numerous announcements were made that the canine would be searching the residence and instructing anyone inside to surrender. There was no response.
K9 Zoro conducted a search of the residence and did not locate anyone inside. Deputies then began searching the surrounding property for the fleeing suspects.
K9 Zoro led his handler to a large field and began tracking north. After a short distance, Zoro showed a strong interest in an area of tall grass, indicating the presence of fresh human scent. Zoro continued tracking, eventually turning east.
After approximately 15 yards, a male later identified as 50-year-old Tommy Coggswell of Canyonville, suddenly stood up from the tall grass with his hands raised. K9 Zoro began barking at Coggswell until deputies took him into custody without further incident.
Deputies and K9 Zoro continued searching the area for the second male suspect, but he was not located.
Cates and Coggswell were transported to the Douglas County Jail where they were lodged on the following charges:
Cates:
Conspiracy to Commit a Class C Felony
Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine
Coggswell:
Burglary in the Second Degree
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information should call 541-440-4471 referencing case #26-2801. Additional case updates will be released when they become available.
βThe Sheriff's Office was assisted by Officers from the Myrtle Creek and Cow Creek Tribal Police Departments.
K9 Zoro, a 8-year-old German Shepherd, has been with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office since September 2019. He was purchased by an anonymous donor in the community and gifted to the agency. The Sheriff's Office K9 program, consisting of three Patrol K9 teams and 1 narcotics K9 team, is supported financially by private donations and the Friends of Umpqua Valley Police K9 Programs, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support local police K9 teams.
