Reported burglary leads to SWAT response in Sumpter
By Logan Bagett on Friday, July 24th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
SUMPTER – (Press Release issued by the Baker County Sheriff’s Office)
On July 21, 2026 at approximately 5:51 p.m., Baker County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a report of a possible burglary occurring on Mill Street in Sumpter. The reporting party believed that two male individuals had entered her late father’s residence and were still on the property. She also had video footage of these subjects carrying firearms from the home.
Deputies responded to the residence and searched the property but did not locate the subjects. While speaking with the reporting party, a vehicle typically driven by the subjects was spotted driving near the property.
Undersheriff Durheim began to follow the 1981 Ford F150. As they turned onto Austin Street, the vehicle pulled over. The passenger, identified as Joshua James Toms (29 yoa) of Ontario, Oregon, immediately exited the vehicle and began walking away. Undersheriff Durheim contacted the driver, identified as Preston Thomas Spencer (24 yoa) of Sumpter, Oregon. Spencer’s driving status was suspended, and he was taken into custody. Sgt. Rilee attempted to make contact with Toms, who then fled the scene and forced entry into an unoccupied residence on Auburn Street.
Toms has a lengthy criminal history and had eight warrants for his arrest out of Malheur County, Oregon and Ada County, Idaho. With consideration of these circumstances and the public’s safety, the decision was made to deploy the Northeast Oregon Regional SWAT Team. Additional law enforcement personnel arrived on scene and attempted to contact Toms using a loud hailer outside the residence. After using the loud hailer and deploying several diversionary devices in the residence with no response from Toms, members of the SWAT Team made entry. Toms was located hiding in a bathtub and was taken into custody.
Spencer was transported to the Baker County Jail and charged with Driving While Suspended (2 counts), Felon in Possession and Post-Prison Violation.
Toms was transported to the Baker County Jail and held on eight valid warrants from Malheur County, Oregon and Ada County, Idaho.
On July 22nd, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 668 North Mill Street, where Toms and Spencer had been staying. Several adults and two juveniles were present at the home upon law enforcement arrival. During the search, numerous firearms and ammunition were seized along with drug paraphernalia. One juvenile was taken into custody for a Failure to Appear warrant. The remaining juvenile had been reported as missing and/or runaway and was taken into custody.
This is an ongoing investigation. Additional criminal charges are anticipated.
The Northeast Oregon Regional SWAT Team is a multi-agency tactical team, comprised of law enforcement personnel from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, La Grande Police Department, Baker City Police Department and Baker County Sheriff’s Office.
Baker County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Northeast Oregon Regional SWAT Team for their assistance during this incident.
