Man arrested in theft of 26 DCSO bulletproof vests

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said Friday they have arrested a 32-year-old man who is accused of kicking in the door of the agency’s shooting range, vandalizing it and stealing 26 bulletproof vests last month.

Ryan Nathaniel Fischer Salt, 32, was arrested Wednesday at a La Pine-area residence, said sheriff’s Lt. Scott Beard.

Back on July 23 rd , the sheriff’s shooting range was burglarized and the vests were taken, while some radios were damaged by the intruder, Beard said.

Fischer Salt was held without bail at the county jail on a parole violation charge. He also faces 26 counts of felon in possession of body armor, as well as second-degree burglary, first-degree theft and first-degree criminal mischief.

Beard declined to be specific about what had been recovered but said they were still looking for vests.

“It’s not illegal to own a vest, unless you’re a convicted felon involved in a violent crime,” Beard said. “They are a commodity you can sell or trade.”

The lieutenant said they are “working with other angles” to learn if others were involved. While the vests are marked with the agency’s name, it’s “not hard to alter” that element, he added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (541) 693-6911.

Fischer Salt was arrested in December 2010 after running from deputies in Redmond who tried to stop a car with expired registration tags. Police said he parked at a home, went inside, then ran into an alley. A Redmond police dog helped officers find Fischer Salt hiding inside a nearby utility trailer. He was arrested on DUII, felon in possession of a firearm and other charges.