Man jailed after wild ride down S. Umpqua River
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A Roseburg man is behind bars Monday morning, after Sheriff's deputies say he led police and fire crews on a dangerous trip down the South Umpqua River on a loose dock.
According to the Sheriff's office, just before 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, reports started coming in about a man floating down the fast moving river.
When emergency crews arrived, they say they found Larry Allen Strain, 59, floating downstream on a dock that had his boats tied to it.
>>>See YouNews video of the incident
Deputies say the dock had come loose at the end of Neill Ave.
Crews from Douglas County Fire District #2 attempted to get the man into a water rescue boat, but they say Strain refused.
According to officials, Strain told them he wanted them to get a bigger boat and push his dock to shore. Authorities say Strain was warned that he would be arrested if he did not get in the rescue boat.
Rescue crews also tried to give Strain a life jacket, which they say he also refused.
Deputies say crews were able to throw a life jacket to Strain as he passed under the Melrose bridge.
Sheriff's deputies launched another rescue boat at River Forks and headed upstream, "despite the extreme risk due to the water level, swiftness and the large amount of logs and debris in the river."
Strain eventually gave up and got into the boat with authorities somewhere between the Melrose bridge and Singleton Park.
Strain was taken into custody at River forks Park and lodged in the Douglas County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct and six counts of reckless endangering. His bail was set at $40,000.
Officials say the dock and boats continued on down the river.
YouNews reporter jwiks uploaded this video of the dock floating down the river:
YouNews reporter 'Oryguncowgirl' also took videos of the incident as it unfolded:
The first video shows the debris floating down the fast moving river
Yet another victim of the police state.
He needs a good lawyer...
Disorderly?
This is about the dumbest arrest I have ever heard of!!! Â He was trying to save his boats, didn't call for help..jeez, Douglas County, don't you have anything else to do?? Run radar or something but leave people alone that are trying to salvage their possessions!
We are from the government, and we are here to help you: you have the right to remain silent....
@EugeneGuy If you don't let us help you, we will take you to jail and charge you with five crimes with a possibility of five years in the county jail.
@hewhoo Police state USSA comrade.
Douglas County Sheriffs out doing their best to win the hearts and minds of the people they work for.  Dopes!
He had plenty of trouble before all the "HELP". Sure hope today is better for him.
Knowing how much my little boat costs....I'd be on that dock trying to save it too!! Why couldn't they have tied a rope to the dock or his boat and cut it loose from the dock and saved the guys boat for him?! Sigh...this is ridiculous to arrest him...can't somebody just help someone trying to save something they worked hard for?
Pretty sad that law enforcement is not for "we the people"The guy was simply trying to save his boats.. Its not like he was there because he wanted to be.. Disorderly conduct?Recklessly endangering? put him in jail? for gods sake.. ridiculous charges! where was the law enforcement trying to help this guy save his property? accidents do happen and I am quite sure this was an accident and the river tore the dock loose from its mooring...
@Whitehawk Parasitic police state.... "land of the free" .... in your dreams.
It looks like he was trying to save his (or maybe someone else's) property. If the police do the same thing, they are cited as heroic; if he tries it he is 'disorderly'.   If he refuses to get in their boat and abandon the property he is trying to save, who is he 'recklessly endangering'? Himself? If the Douglas County DA dosen't dismiss this one he should be turned out in the next election, along with the Douglas County Sheriff.
Who cares? Let him float all he wants.
Well is it the SOUTH or the NORTH? Since I was raised on the North Umpqua I know it is that one! But KVAL headline is stupid as this guy!Â