Man Arrested for Menacing on Highway 99E Near Canby

A man was arrested Sunday morning after Clackamas County deputies and Canby police officers were called out to reports of him menacing people with a handgun along Highway 99E south of Canby.

William Dean McCormick, 42, was located and taken into custody. Oregon City K-9 officer Slate and his handler, officer Dan Shockley, responded to the scene to help search for the firearm, which was believed to have been discarded in a wooded area off the highway.

Slate found the “weapon,” which turned out to be a realistic-looking replica firearm, partially buried in dirt under heavy brush. McCormick admitted that the replica was his, according to police.

“We’re proud of our excellent working relationship with law enforcement agencies in Clackamas County and beyond,” the Oregon City Police Department said in a Facebook post. “We’re equally proud of the hard work our officers (both human and canine) perform day in and day out. Great work, Slate!”

McCormick was arrested and booked at the Clackamas County Jail on charges of menacing, possession of methamphetamine and a parole violation. He remained in custody as of Monday afternoon, with his bail set at $12,500.

McCormick’s record shows a long string of criminal charges out of Marion County dating back to 1997, including robbery, burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, theft, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading police.

More recently, he was charged with second-degree burglary in January of this year — though online court records show the case was later dismissed.