Creston Police: Police find wanted person hiding in basement of home

Douglas E. Woodward, 40, of Pleasant Hill, was taken into custody 5 p.m. April 11 on a Department of Correctional Services warrant issued through Union County on the charge of violation of probation. He was additionally charged with interference with official acts and possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense.

According to a correctional services report, Woodward was sentenced Aug. 15, 2025, to 10 years in prison after he was convicted of a controlled substance violation. The sentence was suspended and he was given three years probation.

Woodward reportedly violated the terms of his probation by failing to provide documentation of a court-ordered substance abuse evaluation and failure to pay supervision fees and court-ordered fines. On Jan. 8, Woodward was charged with possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine, third or subsequent offense and on Jan. 12, he failed to report to a probation appointment.

On April 11, officers observed Woodward, who had an active warrant, walking on West Montgomery Street. After seeing police, Woodward ran into a residence in the 600 block. Children at the residence told officers he was hiding in the basement. Woodward ignored multiple commands from officers. He was found hiding under a large piece of metal inside of a crawl space in the basement.

During a search of his person, a small bag of marijuana was located in his wallet.

Woodward was transported to the Union County Jail and held on $15,300 cash or surety bond.

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Sawyer L. Andresen, 28, of Bedford, was taken into custody 2:36 a.m. April 11, on Jarvis Street for the charges of OWI, first offense, possession of controlled substance - marijuana, first offense.

According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 2 a.m. a 2014 Jeep Wrangler was stopped for speeding. Contact was made with the driver, identified as Andresen, who had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and the odor of a consumed alcoholic beverage coming from his person.

Andresen told officers he had drank four or five beers at a friend’s house, with his last drink being approximately 30 minutes prior to being stopped. He consented to field sobriety testing and showed multiple clues of impairment. A PBT showed his BrAC to be above .08%. Andresen also had a THC vape which he said he had used a few hours earlier.

He consented to provide a breath specimen for chemical testing, with the result indicating his BAC to be .082%. Andresen provided a urine sample which will be sent to the DCI lab.

Andresen was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after posting $2,000 cash or surety bond.

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James K. Ward, 41, of Massena, was taken into custody 1:43 a.m. April 11 at Sumner Avenue and Taylor Street on the charges of OWI, first offense and possession of a controlled substance - marijuana, first offense.

According to a Creston Police report, at approximately 1:15 a.m. a 1993 Chevrolet pickup was observed weaving and crossing the marked lane divider on Taylor Street multiple times. The truck also had a brake light out.

A traffic stop was conducted and contact was made with the driver, identified as Ward. While speaking with him, officers detected the strong odor of a consumed alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. Ward also had bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech.

When Ward opened the driver’s door after being asked to step out of the vehicle, an open bottle of Busch Light fell out of the truck. Ward told officers he had consumed one or two alcoholic drinks.

Ward consented to field sobriety testing and showed numerous validated clues of impairment. A PBT produced a result over .08%.

Ward later consented to provide a breath specimen for chemical testing, the result indicated his BAC to be .117%.

Ward was transported to the Union County Jail where he was released from after posting $2,000 cash or surety.