Media Release January 30, 2026 Bank Robbery Suspects Detained - Final Update At approximately 11:48am, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a bank robbery at Columbia Bank in Depoe Bay, Oregon. Callers reported two armed adult males concealing their faces entered the bank and held staff at gun point, demanding access to the vault. Columbia Bank reported the two successfully obtained more than $50,000 in US currency before fleeing south on Highway 101 in a red sedan without license plates. The red suspect vehicle was abandoned at a vacant lot near NE Stanley and E. Collins Street in Depoe Bay. The vehicle was set on fire. The suspects were seen getting into a grey 4 door Toyota and left the area west as reported by a nearby resident. At approximately 12:51pm, Newport Police spotted a grey Toyota Camry near Don Davis Park in Newport, Oregon. Witnesses reported seeing two men leave the grey Toyota Camry on foot. During a search of the area, Newport Police spotted a white male adult matching the description of one of the suspects at the intersection Hwy 101 and Hwy 20. The subject was contacted and detained. A short time later, the second male was spotted at Nye Beach and detained as well. A subsequent canvas of the nearby area around the vehicle revealed clothing found in a public trash can that matched the clothing worn by the suspects in the bank. NPD K9 Officer Magnum and K9 Sly were used to search the area of Don Davis park and its related trails up to Nye Beach. A large backpack matching the description used in the bank robbery was located and seized. A search warrant for the involved Toyota Camry and backpack was applied for and granted. A search of the items located over $50,000 in cash and two weapons. Franco Armando Mereno Jr. age 37 of Portland and Jonathon F. Schwentner age 43 of Canby were lodged at the Lincoln County Jail and charged with Robbery I, Kidnap II and Aggravated Theft. This incident is under investigation by the Lincoln County Major Crime Team. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Oregon State Police, Newport Police Department, Lincoln City Police Department, and Toledo Police Department.