New Reedsport Police K9 Helps Lead to Methamphetamine Seizure

REEDSPORT, Ore. — October 15, 2025 — A new member of the Reedsport Police Department is already making an impact. Snow, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois trained in narcotics detection and pursuit, assisted officers in a case that has resulted in multiple felony drug charges for a Florence man.

According to court records, Snow helped officers locate more than two ounces of methamphetamine during a traffic-related investigation earlier this year. The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Robert Alan Strebendt of Florence, was taken into custody this month and is facing several drug-related charges.

Police reports state that officers first noticed a green Ford sedan linked to Strebendt in the early morning hours of May 29, 2025, while investigating a separate traffic incident near the Coos County line. The same vehicle was later seen parked in the Lakeside area, and again traveling north on Highway 101 before turning off the main road when police attempted to follow it. Officers eventually stopped the vehicle for an alleged lighting violation.

Strebendt was the only person inside the car and did not have a driver’s license with him, according to the report. The vehicle was also not registered to him. He was cited for failing to carry or present an operator’s license, a class C misdemeanor, which allowed officers to confirm his identity.

During the stop, Snow alerted officers to the possible presence of narcotics on the exterior of the vehicle. After releasing Strebendt with the citation, police obtained a warrant and searched the car several hours later. Officers reported finding over two ounces of methamphetamine, a set of digital scales, and a tool believed to be used for handling the drug.

Strebendt was not located immediately following the search. Officers arrested him on October 9 in Reedsport and booked him into the Douglas County Jail. On Monday, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple charges, including unlawful possession and delivery of methamphetamine, as well as possession of a commercial quantity of a controlled substance. That charge is enhanced when certain conditions are present, such as drug packaging accessories or nearby weapons.

In addition to the felony charges, Strebendt faces misdemeanor counts for failing to present a driver’s license and for possession of metal knuckles allegedly found in the vehicle.

He was arraigned Monday in Douglas County Circuit Court, where his bail was set at $15,000. According to jail records, Strebendt remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court again Friday.

Snow, who joined the Reedsport Police Department in April 2025 after replacing the retired K9 Penny, was imported from France and is part of the Friends of the Umpqua Valley Police K9 Program.