Roseburg Man Arrested for Breaking Into Home and Brutally Assaulting 73-Year-Old

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies responding to the 1300 block of Gazley Road, Myrtle Creek, for a report of an assault called in detectives after an intruder assaulted and severely injured 73-year-old Stephen Balliew of Myrtle Creek on Sunday. The suspect, 21-year-old Heath Lethlean of Roseburg, was arrested on Friday, November 14.

Earlier in the night, it was reported that the victim may have fallen, but it was determined that the injuries did not match the reported fall. The elderly victim was taken to Mercy Medical Center, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Detectives responded to the scene due to the severity of his injuries.

Investigators established that 73-year-old Stephen Balliew was severely injured after Lethlean broke into Balliew’s residence and assaulted him with an object. Lethlean had fled the scene after the assault.

Detectives are continuing the investigation, but in the meantime, Lethlean was lodged at the Douglas County Jail for Attempted Murder II.