Stolen goods recovered

LEABURG: In April of 2015, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received several anonymous tips regarding the location of some stolen property as well as people possibly associated with numerous thefts and burglaries. After several weeks of investigation, a large barn was located near the Leaburg Fish Hatchery containing a large amount of property.

After two separate property viewings, a significant amount of items were returned to their owners that had reported thefts and burglaries from the McKenzie River area.

26-year-old Justin Matthew Smith of Leaburg  and 34-year-old David Garcia of McKenzie Bridge were subsequently arrested for possession of stolen property, as well as burglary and unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Authorities said both Smith and Garcia have been cooperative with the Sheriff’s Office, as the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely.

On June 2nd, the Lane County Sheriff’s Special Response Team (SRT) served a search warrant in east Springfield related to a burglary from McKenzie Bridge where jewelry and firearms were stolen. A large amount of jewelry and one of the firearms was located.

A department spokesman said, “The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens as summer is upon us to be cognizant of your surroundings. Be sure to secure your doors and windows when leaving or at night to minimize people entering your residence. We are also seeing a higher use of hidden trail cameras on properties.

 

McKenzie River Reflections