Wanted Sex Offender arrested at South Beach, along with his suspected “accomplice”
Newport Police Officers and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies responded Thursday to assist Parole and Probation (P&P) Officers in South Beach who were pursuing a wanted sex offender. A P&P officer had observed Joseph Douglas LaCroix, age 28 of Newport, on Hwy 101 near SE 40th St. in South Beach.
LaCroix had a felony Parole Board warrant for his arrest. As the P&P officers attempted to contact him, he fled on foot. NPD Officers and LCSO Deputies established a perimeter and began to search the area. During the search, officers contacted Elizabeth Holmes, age 32 of Newport, in a motor home parked in a vacant lot where she and LaCroix were living. A valid misdemeanor warrant was found for Holmes; she was taken into custody.
A short while later a Deputy spotted LaCroix hiding in a storage area adjacent to the Central Lincoln PUD warehouse and shop facility. Although surrounded, LaCroix still tried to flee on foot. The officers were faster and subdued LaCroix a few minutes later.
Holmes was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on a Marion County no-bail warrant that charged her with Obstruction of a Criminal Investigation, and Providing False Information to a Police Officer. LaCroix was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on a no-bail Oregon State Parole Board warrant, and a new charge of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.