Klamath Falls man arrested in 3-county burglary spree

A Klamath Falls man arrested earlier this month on Highway 97 near the California border is suspected in a three-county burglary spree, and the investigation so far has led to the recovery of numerous items worth tens of thousands of dollars, Klamath County sheriff’s deputies said Monday.

William A. Grote, 39, was arrested in a coordinated multi-agency traffic stop the evening of Saturday, March 16, deputies said.

Grote has been the focus of a months-long investigation involving several law enforcement agencies in Clackamas, Jackson and Klamath counties.

He is suspected in a burglary spree of cabins and homes between Fish Lake and Rocky Point; of breaking into numerous vehicles at the Boy Scout Camp located on Highway 140 near Lake of the Woods and the Summer Snow Park near Fish Lake; of the theft of over $50,000 worth of property at a location on Westside Road in Rocky Point; and of several commercial burglaries in Jackson County, deputies said.

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office served search warrants on a storage unit used by Grote and on the vehicle he was driving when arrested.

Numerous stolen items totaling tens of thousands of dollars have been recovered including solar panels, a log splitter, a utility trailer, a pottery kiln, golf clubs, aviation equipment, tools and much more, the sheriff’s office said.

Criminal charges are pending at the discretion of the respective district attorneys’ offices.

Active investigations are underway in Jackson and Klamath counties. Victims of thefts during since last year along Highway 140 between White City and Klamath Falls, including the areas of Fish Lake, Lake of the Woods and Rocky Point, are urged to contact local law enforcement.

“The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to the following agencies who assisted in the investigation: the California Highway Patrol, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, Medford Police Department and Oregon State Police,” the release said.