Redmond man arrested in Home Depot robbery

A Redmond man has been arrested on charges of stealing more than $1,000 worth of items, mostly copper wire, from the Redmond Home Depot last month, some of which were recovered in a raid on his home, police said Tuesday.

Redmond officers learned Feb. 21 that the Home Depot had been robbed a day earlier, said Sgt. Curtis Chambers.

The suspect left without paying for over $1,000 worth of goods and punched an employee once in the face when contacted outside of the business. The worker suffered minor injuries that did not require treatment, Chambers added.

The man fled in a GMC “Jimmy” SUV, leaving behind some of the stolen items. Chambers said Home Depot employees helped police identify a suspect – Matthew Pryor Romine, 37, of Redmond.

A woman was pulled over driving the GMC on Monday near SE Franklin Street and Cascade Avenue and the SUV was searched.

A search warrant then was obtained and served at Romine’s home at 3233 Northwest Way, where Romine was found hiding in a bedroom and arrested. Stolen items were recovered, and a small marijuana grow was found, Chambers said, adding that he was unsure how much of the wire was recovered.

Romine was lodged in the Deschutes County Jail on charges of third-degree robbery, first- and second-degree theft, fourth-degree assault, methamphetamine possession, manufacturing marijuana and endangering the welfare of a minor. He remained held Tuesday on $75,000 bail.

The woman driving his SUV also was arrested on charges related to items found in the raid, but not to the Home Depot robbery, Chambers said.