Oregon Coast Security Guard Arrested for Unwanted Sexual Contact, Impersonating Officer

Published 01/27/26 at 8:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Toledo, Oregon) – Toledo Police Department (TPD) on the central Oregon coast just released details on the arrest of a man impersonating a police officer and making sexual contact. The incident involved them and law enforcement in Newport.

Toledo police are still investigating an early-morning incident in which a private security guard allegedly impersonated law enforcement and made unwanted sexual contact with a woman near the Toledo Port parking lot.

Officers were dispatched around 2:30 a.m. on January 20, 2026, after a report that an adult male wearing a law-enforcement-style uniform and carrying a firearm had approached an adult female. According to the arrest report, the woman told officers the man was driving a grey sedan marked with the word “patrol.”

“The victim was initially confused if the male was a police officer and engaged in conversation initiated by the male,” police said. “The male eventually identified himself as a private security guard who then initiated sexually suggested conversation which culminated with the male exiting his vehicle, brandishing his firearm, and making inappropriate sexual contact with the victim.”

The woman was able to break away and contacted a separate security guard contracted by Georgia Pacific, who ensured she was safe and notified law enforcement.

Investigators later identified the suspect as Charles Belt III, who was on duty for TCB Security at the time. A second woman has since reported that Belt made similar sexualized comments to her during a prior contact.

Toledo

On January 26, 2026, Newport police located Belt and took him into custody. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Anyone with information about this incident or other interactions involving Belt is asked to contact Sgt. Pitcher at aaron.pitcher@cityoftoledo.org or Det. Shinholster at dalynn.shinholster@cityoftoledo.org.

“Additionally, TPD would like to remind the public that some security services utilize uniforms, vehicles and equipment which resemble sworn law enforcement, external vests, duty belts, patches, badges and display rank insignia modeled after military and law enforcement rank structure,” TPD said.

The similarities may confuse individuals who are less familiar with mandatory differences designated by Oregon Administrative Rule 259-060-0012. Individuals are encouraged to report misconduct by anyone in a security, law enforcement, or similar uniform.

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