Police Search For Suspect In North Plains Killing

NORTH PLAINS, OR — The Washington County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday released information related to a wanted suspect who is considered armed and dangerous.

Chad Brandon Pitcher, 38, is a suspect in the killing of 39-year-old Michael Zven Arch, also known as Reiner Ralph Schmolling, Jr. — a man with a long criminal history in Washington County, stretching back to a standoff in 1997 when he shot a Washington County detective and killed a Hillsboro Police Department K9.

Schmolling Jr. was found shot around 5 p.m. Sept. 19 outside a home in the 16000-block of Northwest Dairy Creek Road, roughly four miles north of North Plains. Police reportedly developed suspect information by Sept. 22 but chose not to release that information to local media outlets out of concern their investigation would be compromised.

With the homicide one week past, police have chosen to ask the public for any information that could help them locate Pitcher.

Following the killing, the Hillsboro Tribune, a local newspaper, reported witness accounts describing two shots that rang out, possibly from a high-powered rifle, from the western side of the house.

Another local news outlet, the Banks Post, reported additional police calls to the same area within the past two weeks for other sounds of gunfire.

According to the Post, Washington County deputies were called twice on Sept. 6: Once for a reported altercation of some kind, and again after a woman said someone had been shooting at her home. No injuries were reported in either incident and no suspect information was given.

Washington County Sheriff's spokesman Deputy Jeff Talbot told the Tribune the property has been a hotbed of activity over recent weeks.

"We had a warrant arrest — everything, honestly," Talbot said. "We've been to the house multiple times for multiple reasons."

Anyone with information about this shooting or Pitcher's whereabouts is asked to call the Washington County non-emergency line at 503-629-0111. The police further advise the public not to approach Pitcher, as he is considered dangerous.

Top Photo: Previous booking photo for Chad Pitcher courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office