Salem, OR. – Official Release: Marion County Circuit Court Judge Courtland Geyer sentenced Nicholas Contreras-Salmion to 100 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections, followed by 36 months of post-prison supervision for committing multiple robberies while wearing what appeared to be an explosive vest and detonator.
In January 2025, Contreras-Salmion entered Crossroads Grocery in Woodburn, Oregon. He approached the register, unbuttoned his sweatshirt, and revealed what appeared to be a vest strapped with dynamite. Holding what looked like a detonator in his left hand, he handed the clerk a cloth bag and demanded all of the money, threatening to detonate the device if the victim did not comply. After the clerk gave him cash from the register, Contreras-Salmion exited the store.
Approximately one week later, a device resembling a bomb vest was discovered and reported to law enforcement. The Oregon State Police Bomb squad responded and safely recovered the device, which was later determined to be a hoax device designed to look like an explosive vest, but without any explosive components.
A second incident occurred in February 2025, at the EZ Stop Grocery, also in Woodburn. According to the victim, Contreras-Salmion loitered near the candy aisle before waiting for another customer to enter the restroom. He then approached the counter, placed a towel on it, and unzipped his sweatshirt to reveal what appeared to be another bomb strapped to his torso. He told the victim she had seven minutes to open the safe. When she said she didn’t have access to it and moved toward her phone, Contreras-Salmion pressed a button, activating red flashing lights on the vest, and warned she now had only three minutes. At that point, the other customer exited the restroom, and the defendant fled the store without obtaining any money.
Security footage from both incidents corroborated the victim’s accounts were sufficiently consistent and detailed that on February 13, 2025, (six days after the most EZ Stop Grocery robbery) Contreras-Salmion was walking on Lincoln Street in Woodburn, and was contacted by Woodburn Police Officers Jonathan Ellis and William Ovchinnikov while they were on patrol. At the time he was contacted, Contreras-Salmion was wearing yet another hoax-destructive device under his shirt.
Contreras-Salmion admitted to engaging in the robberies and building the fake bomb vests, saying he was out of work and needed the money. He stated that at the time of the robberies he was using and addicted to methamphetamine.
Based on the investigation, a Marion County grand jury returned an indictment on two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, one count of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, and one count of Possession of a Hoax Destructive Device.
“Robbery is traumatizing enough, but the use of a fake explosive device to instill fear and force compliance by his victims is a heightened level of callousness,” said Marion County Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy.
“That is especially true in Woodburn with its unbelievably tragic history involving explosive devices.
We should also acknowledge the bravery of the Woodburn Police Officers in this case. Officers Ovchinnikov and Ellis recognized and approached Contreras-Salmion without knowing if he was wearing a vest or not. They put the community over themselves when they arrested the Defendant on February 13. I am thankful for their service and that they were able to return to their loved ones.”
Chief Deputy Murphy went on to say, “This sentence reflects the gravity of the defendant’s actions and our office’s commitment to holding individuals accountable when they attempt to harm members of our community.”
Under Ballot Measure 11, and in accordance with ORS 164.405, Robbery in the Second Degree has a mandatory sentence of 70 months. The maximum sentence was roughly 140 months, Department of Corrections.
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