FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: May 14, 2026
CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | spdmedia@cityofsalem.net

SALEM, Ore. — On May 12, 2026, officers arrested Sara Maria Guzman-Staff, 39, of Salem, in connection 
with a series of theft incidents that occurred at various locations from December 2025 to May 2026.

Guzman-Staff had been identified as the suspect in four shoplifting incidents. All theft cases were initiated by 
the Telephone Reporting Office, which receives and reviews reports submitted through the department’s 
online reporting system. Telephone Reporting Specialists were able to connect the cases through reviewing 
evidence submitted by the retailers.

Telephone Reporting Specialists identified Guzman-Staff as a person of interest and coordinated the case 
information with officers, where it was assigned for follow-up. After further investigation, officers were able to 
confirm Guzman-Staff was the suspect.

On May 12, officers spotted a vehicle driven by Guzman-Staff and stopped the vehicle. During the stop, she 
was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.

Guzman-Staff was arrested for the four theft cases and the possession of methamphetamine and was lodged 
at Marion County Jail for multiple charges including Theft in the First Degree and Unlawful Possession of 
Methamphetamine.

The Salem Police Department would like to recognize the efforts and coordination between the Telephone 
Reporting Office and patrol officers in making this arrest and interrupting the cycle of thefts. We also want to 
encourage our community to report criminal activity, as your report may be the one that connects several 
cases together. Many non-emergency crimes can be reported online by visiting this link: salempd.info/online-reports.

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

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