9 Cottage Grove businesses damaged in early morning rampage

‘Isolated incident’ not keeping business owners down

COTTAGE GROVE – Nine businesses on Aug. 21 suffered damage to their storefronts after a frenzied man swung a metal sign post through their windows.

Downtown is not down-and-out, though, and business leaders are assuring the community that Main Street remains safe and downtown is still open for business. 

Shortly after midnight, Sarah Brown, a 44-year-old hair stylist who lives and works on Main Street, was at her residence eating steamed asparagus when a commotion outside put her off her meal.

“When I looked down from my window, this man was taking that heavy pole and swinging it at the windows of all the businesses — just window after window,” she said. 

KNND Radio’s window at 717 E. Main St. BOB WILLIAMS / THE CHORNICLE

She continued her account:  “I am on the phone with 911. I’m running down the stairs, and the cop was coming right around the corner. The man was running east toward Weyerhaeuser on HWY 99,” she said. Brown said the man had just finished swinging at a window when the officer rolled up. 

“They … they scuffled,” she said.

When the officer first approached, the suspect – Jacob J. Schott, 37, of Cottage Grove – punched him before being apprehended, said Cory Chase, police chief. The officer was treated for his injuries at PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center and has since returned home. His name is not being disclosed at this time, nor the extent of his injuries.

Brown said the actions she witnessed of that officer makes him nothing less than a “hero.” She said that, despite Schott being a larger man than he was, the officer effectively took him down — all while suffering his own injury.

“He was bleeding from the bridge of his nose, but he didn’t focus on being hurt,” she said. “This police officer did his due diligence, and he apprehended that guy by himself. He kept working the entire time. That must have hurt. He must have been dizzy. But he was focused on keeping people safe and making sure that this guy was apprehended.” 

She also said she admired that the officer maintained composure and spoke in a firm “father-like tone” when handling the man in distress as he sat in the back of the patrol car. “It was incredible to see this man go through what he just had been through and see him still keep calm,” she said. 

THE DAMAGE / COMMUNITY RESPONSE

The damage took place on both sides of Main Street and was isolated to the 700 and 800 blocks —  a street largely lined with historic buildings. That’s a particularly sore pain-point for Brown.

“Most of these windows (in the downtown area) are from the early 1900s, and it’s super sad to know that people have worked so hard to keep the history preserved in Cottage Grove, and to just see it degraded,” Brown said. 

Rose Bud Clothing Consignment at 814 E. Main St. is lodged in one of those historic buildings, wherein just one of the eight windows were smashed in. 

Mary Jo Davis, owner, remains upbeat. 

“For me, I was lucky because the broken tempered glass was centralized … so it didn’t get sprayed all over,” Davis said. “People have been nice and concerned and caring, and that’s what we need in this world right now. No judgment. I’m tired of judgment. Enough with the rumors. We need to be kind to each other.”

She relayed a story of a couple who showed up with a vacuum cleaner to help suck up the busted glass. That same pair – or at least one half of the pair – was at the Bookmine at 702 E. Main St. prior to stopping into Rose Bud. The Bookmine was also subjected to vandalism. 

“There have been extraordinary acts of kindness,” said Gail Hoelzle, Bookmine owner. “One person showed up with his Shop-Vac cleaner and spent an hour vacuuming up the shards of glass. … People calling to see if we’re OK and making donations. Someone even brought in a loaf of bread. People are being so kind.” 

Both business women stressed that a rogue incident like this does not define their city.

“It’s really important that people know that just because this happened, please do come downtown, and please shop. We’re fine. Everything’s back to normal. We are open for business. Cottage Grove is open for business,” Davis said.

Chase said there is no further threat to the businesses or the community.  

“There is nothing that leads us to believe that this was a targeted incident,” Chase said. “This appears to be a random act with no motive. This is an isolated incident, and the person’s in jail.” No thefts were reported and the sign used in the incident has been recovered.

Schott was lodged in Lane County Jail and charged with Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, and Resisting Arrest. 

The Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce has set up a fund to help support the business leaders as they face days of clean-up and unforeseen circumstances. That link can be found here and on the Chamber’s Facebook page. Donations may also be dropped off in-person at the Chamber at 836 E. Main St.

The investigation is ongoing. More information will be reported on as it becomes available.