Salem Police K9 Assists in Capture of Costco Robbery Suspect Jorge Reyes-Suarez Near Fairgrounds

SALEM, Ore. — A coordinated multi-agency response, aided by a Salem Police Department canine unit, led to the successful apprehension of a violent robbery suspect near the Oregon State Fairgrounds on Friday, February 6, 2026. The suspect, Jorge Reyes-Suarez, 45, is accused of committing an armed robbery earlier in the day at a South Salem Costco parking lot.

Tracking the Suspect

The incident began around noon when the Salem Police Department received reports of a brutal robbery in the 4800 block of 27th Avenue SE. Following the assault, the suspect fled the scene in a white Toyota Corolla. A pursuit ensued involving officers from the Salem Police Department, Keizer Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police.

After a vehicle pursuit, the suspect abandoned the car and fled on foot. Officers quickly established a tight containment perimeter in Northeast Salem, concentrating their search near Silverton Road, Portland Road, and Fairgrounds Road Northeast.

K9 Deployed to Locate Discarded Evidence

With the perimeter secured, a Salem Police K9 team was deployed to track the suspect's movements. The police canine successfully tracked the scent through the neighborhood, guiding officers directly to a critical piece of discarded evidence. The canine located a weapon that closely resembled a semi-automatic handgun, which investigators later determined to be a highly realistic pellet gun used during the robbery.

Suspect Apprehended

Thanks to the rapid response and the K9 tracking efforts, officers located Reyes-Suarez hiding within the containment zone. He was arrested without further incident. The Salem Police Department highlighted the cooperation between local agencies and the invaluable contribution of the canine unit in resolving a potentially dangerous situation safely.