UPDATE: Police Determine Woodburn Restaurant Robbery Was Staged

Woodburn Police - 05/26/18 

On May 25, Woodburn police detectives conducted a follow-up investigation to the robbery that occurred at Gina’s Restaurant the day before. Investigators interviewed Chanh Tran, 47, of Woodburn, the person who had sustained an injury during the incident and determined that she had planned and orchestrated a “fake robbery” attempt with her accomplice. This “robbery” was staged to occur in the presence of Tran’s friend, Chun Liu Huang.

Investigators learned that Tran had recently met her accomplice, Conan Dehut, 36, in the Portland area. Tran bought Dehut a phone and offered him money to stage a robbery attempt at the restaurant. Evidence indicates Tran and Dehut practiced the “robbery” the night before and were to make it look as real as possible. Video surveillance showed Tran had dropped off Dehut behind the restaurant over an hour before the staged robbery. During the investigation, it became clear to detectives that the purpose of the staged robbery was for Tran to make Huang fear for her own safety.

Tran cooperated with investigators. Dehut was arrested in Portland on May 25, near SE 82nd Ave. and SE Johnson Creek Blvd.

Police took Tran and Dehut to Marion County Jail on charges of Attempted Robbery, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Menacing.

Woodburn police are asking anyone with any information to call 503-982-2345.