‘Wounded Warrior’ Scammer Arrested in Redmond

An 18-year-old man went door to door in a southwest Redmond neighborhood, claiming to be a wounded Marine and combat veteran gathering donations for the Wounded Warriors Project. But he was arrested by police who said it was all a scam.

Redmond police were called around 4:30 p.m. Thursday to the area of SW 25th Street and Cascade Mountain Lane on a report of a young man going door to door collecting donations and purporting to be associated with Wounded Warriors, said Sgt. Curtis Chambers.

The person who called police had already contacted the Wounded Warriors Project and learned they don?t solicit cash or check donations door to door, Chambers said.

Officers contacted the solicitor, identified as Ryan L. Brashears, 18, in the area after the caller to police provided a description.

Police determined Brashears was not affiliated with the Wounded Warriors Project and had been claiming to be a wounded U.S. Marine and combat veteran, Chambers said.

Chambers said Brashears had received $70 in cash donations and another donation in the form of a check.

Brashears originally was from Mississippi but recently was arrested in California, Chambers said.

Brashears was arrested in Redmond on two counts of third-degree theft by deception and one count of third-degree attempted theft by deception. He was taken to the Deschutes County Jail and booked, then later released on his own recognizance, a jail officer said.

Chambers reminded people to ?be mindful of giving any donation to any person purporting to represent legitimate organizations. Most legitimate organizations do not solicit donations door to door.?

The Wounded Warrior Project is online at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.