Two in court over Christmas Eve burglary, arson in Hockinson

The two reportedly set fire to the Hockinson house, in the 17000 block of Northeast 119th Street, after Joshua Roland cut his thumb inside and was bleeding profusely. Investigators say he told a friend that Cronin started the fire in an attempt to cover up the blood evidence, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the case.

Shortly after 3:30 p.m. Dec. 24, Clark County sheriff’s Deputy Tyler Trenda came across a red Honda with Oregon license plates in a ditch in the area of Northeast Echo Ridge Road and Northeast 139th Street in Hockinson. A good Samaritan was in the process of helping the occupants of the Honda get the vehicle out of the ditch, the affidavit states.

About an hour later, the same Honda entered the driveway of Jamon Holmgren’s residence on 119th Street. A home surveillance camera pointed at the driveway captured the car backing up to the garage. Two men — later identified as Joshua Roland and Cronin — exited the car and broke into the residence, the affidavit states.

The surveillance camera didn’t capture the break-in but recorded audio, specifically, loud banging. Investigators later determined the door was kicked in, court records said.

At about 5:40 p.m., Holmgren and his family returned home from Christmas Eve church services, opened their garage door and discovered smoke inside. He and his family left the residence and called 911. Firefighters responded and extinguished the blaze, which was found inside the house, according to court documents.

When Holmgren was able to enter his house, he realized it had been burglarized. More than $5,000 worth of electronics were stolen, along with miscellaneous items and two firearms, the affidavit said.

The Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was intentionally set with gasoline, court records said. Holmgren previously told The Columbian that a gas can was found sitting in the home’s entryway.

Further investigation led to the discovery of blood inside the house, indicating that one of the suspects was injured during the burglary, the affidavit said.

Holmgren later posted video surveillance of the suspects on social media, which was widely shared and generated numerous tips. Multiple people identified Joshua Roland as the driver and Cronin as the passenger, court records state.

Trenda and the Samaritan who came across the suspect Honda earlier in the day also both identified the driver as Joshua Roland. And in the surveillance footage, the driver of the Honda is heard repeatedly calling his passenger “Dan,” according to court documents.

Stakeout

Investigators later learned that Joshua Roland visited a friend, Brittany Hess, on Christmas and admitted to being involved in the burglary and arson. He reportedly told her that he cut himself inside the residence and that Cronin set fire to the house to cover up the blood evidence, the affidavit said.

Hess went with Joshua Roland to Michael Roland’s residence. A verbal altercation ensued between the brothers, Hess said. She left the room before it ended and met Joshua Roland outside in his white Mercedes, according to a separate probable cause affidavit.

Michael Roland also came outside and offered to help his brother in any way that he could, she said. He then gave Joshua Roland his Washington identification and $500 in cash. The brothers talked about Joshua Roland leaving town and possibly going to Medford, Ore., where he may have family, to lay low for a while, court records said.

Investigators said that a Dec. 28 text message exchange between the brothers, recovered from Michael Roland’s phone, referenced the money and identification, according to the affidavit.

Then, on Jan. 4, detectives received a tip that Joshua Roland’s Mercedes was spotted in the parking lot of the Embassy Suites on Northeast 82nd Avenue in Portland. Multiple agencies responded hours later and surveilled the area, court documents state. During the stakeout, Cronin slipped off. Investigators previously said they believe he was unaware of the police presence.

Joshua Roland was apprehended while leaving a hotel room at about 3 a.m. Jan. 5.

Portland Police Bureau detectives served a search warrant on the hotel room and recovered Michael Roland’s driver’s license in a trash bin inside an attached bathroom. The room was rented in his name, according to the affidavit.

The suspect Honda was recovered late Tuesday night in Portland, according to a press release from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators plan to serve a search warrant on the car.

First appearances

Both brothers have prior convictions. Joshua Roland has extensive criminal history, including property crimes and theft. However, Michael Roland’s last conviction, for reckless endangerment, was in 2006, the prosecution said.

During his appearance, Michael Roland pleaded with the judge to set a lower bail.

“I am not a criminal. I have not been in trouble in years,” he said, adding that he didn’t do what the prosecution is alleging. “This whole thing has gotten way out of control.”

Based on his income, he will have to hire his own attorney. His brother was appointed one.

Michael Roland and Joshua Roland are being held at the Clark County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bail and $200,000 bail, respectively. They will both be arraigned Jan. 24.