Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on March 22, 2025, at 10:19 p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary in progress in the 36000 block of Highway 228 near Brownsville. The caller reported two people going through buildings.
Deputies responded to the location and located a male and female on the property. Deputies contacted the male, later identified as Ryan Rikala, 38, of Sweet Home, who fled the area after a physical altercation with the deputy. The deputy heard a loud “pop” during the altercation and believed it was from a firearm. The female, identified as Stefani Brock, 34, of Crawfordsville, was taken into custody.
Deputies and additional officers from Oregon State Police and Albany Police Department quickly set up a perimeter. Deputies utilized multiple K9s and drones to search the area for Rikala. During the K9 track, a firearm was located along the route Rikala fled the area. Rikala was located in a wooded area north of the burglary where he attempted to flee again by jumping in the river and swimming to the opposite side. An additional K9 team was used and Rikala was taken into custody without further incident.
Rikala was lodged at the Linn County Jail for Burglary 1, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Resisting Arrest. Brock was lodged at the Linn County Jail for Burglary 1 and Conspiracy.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Oregon State Police, Albany Police Department, Corvallis Police Department and Brownsville Fire Department.