Transient arrested in Bend stadium pro shop burglary

More than $10,000 worth of merchandise was stolen Sunday from the Vince Genna Stadium Pro Shop in southeast Bend. But police tips to sporting goods stores led to Monday’s arrest of a transient who allegedly tried to “return” some items to one store — which doesn’t carry them.

Officers were called around 9:40 a.m. Sunday to the burglary at the stadium pro shop at 401 SE Roosevelt Avenue, said Lt. Nick Parker.

Police notified sporting goods stores in the area, suspecting those responsible might try to “return” the stolen items for cash, Parker said.

And indeed, on Monday at around 10:30 a.m., an employee at Big 5 Sporting Goods reported a man was trying to return merchandise they didn’t carry. The alert store clerk suspected the items were from the burglary and contacted police, the lieutenant said.

Officers went to the store and arrested Andrew Thomas Sherrell, 27, recovering some of the stolen items. He also was in possession of methamphetamine, Parker said.

Sherrell was booked into the Deschutes County Jail and held on $40,000 bail, facing charges of second-degree burglary, first-degree aggravated theft, second-degree criminal mischief and meth possession.

As the investigation continues, anyone with information that could assist was asked to contact Bend police at 541-693-6911.