Two burglaries of Madras business lead to raid, four arrests

Two recent overnight burglaries of a business at the Madras Industrial Park led to a raid on a mobile home and the arrest of four people – one in those crimes and three others on drug charges, police said Thursday.

Police responded on July 12 and again a week later to a business off Wescott Street in the industrial park on a report of overnight burglaries, said Detective Sgt. Steve Webb. Officers learned entry had been made into the business and tools and other items stolen.

“Evidence had been left by the suspect(s) that would later assist in their identification and subsequent arrest,” Webb said in a news release.

Early Wednesday morning, Jefferson County dispatch got a call of a suspicious person on a bicycle in the industrial area, Webb said.

Police contacted the man, Matthew Arthur, 33, of Madras, and he was found to possess a spring-assisted knife and was arrested on a charge of felon in possession of a restricted weapon. Webb said he also had a bag with numerous tools, including pry bars, screwdrivers and a flashlight. He was taken to the Jefferson County Jail.

Police investigating the burglaries developed probable cause to believe Arthur was responsible and learned he was living in a home at Tops Trailer Park at 23 Northwest Depot Road, Webb said.

A search warrant was obtained, and based on who may be connected to the home, the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT) was contacted to conduct the raid, which happened shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday.

They arrested three people at the home – Daniel Arce, 27, of Portland and Madras, and MaryAnn Brito, 30, and Heather Picard, 32, both of Madras.

A search of the home and outbuilding turned up much of the stolen property from the business, as well as other stolen items from a July 2 burglary at a shop near Birch Lane and Depot Road.

Webb said they also found a small amount of methamphetamine, scales and other paraphernalia, including a surveillance system indicating the home was being used for the use, delivery and manufacturing of the drug.

Arthur remained held at the jail Thursday on $72,500 bail, pending an initial arraignment Thursday afternoon on charges of second-degree burglary, first-, second- and third-degree theft, felon in possession of a restricted weapon and meth possession.

Arce and Brito were held on meth possession, manufacturing and delivery charges, as well as frequenting a place where drugs are used/manufactured. Arce’s initial bail was $125,000, as the jail records indicated he was accused of delivering “substantial quantities” of meth; Brito’s bail was $100,000.

Picard was held on $25,000 bail on meth possession and frequenting charges.

Webb said the investigation was continuing, and anyone with information on the case was urged to contact Sgt. Mel Brown at (541) 475-2424.