Crook County fuel thefts lead to three arrests
A Crook County Sheriff’s Office investigation of fuel thefts in an area north of Prineville led to a raid on a home Thursday and the arrest of three people on theft, drugs and other charges, deputies said Thursday.
On Oct. 12, the sheriff’s office investigated the string of diesel fuel thefts, including thefts from unattended farm equipment, said Undersheriff James Savage. The investigation led deputies to a home at 7543 NW Vista View Road, where Daniel Wade Seaton, 23, of Prineville, was arrested on charges of second-degree theft, second-degree criminal trespass and third-degree criminal mischief, as well as an outstanding Crook County warrant.
Seaton also was found in possession of a dead mule deer doe and was cited by Oregon State Police for a game violation, Savage said.
A second suspect was identified as part of the investigation, Timothy Neal Evans, 38, of the Vista View address, the undersheriff said. Evidence collected at the scene led to probable cause that Evans also was involved in the fuel thefts, he added.
Evans, who fled the area before deputies arrived, was found to have an outstanding Crook County warrant as well, Savage said.
On Thursday, shortly before 8:30 a.m., sheriff’s deputies raided the Vista View Road home, looking for Evans and evidence of the fuel thefts. They were assisted by Oregon State Police, Prineville and Redmond police, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies and the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team, Savage said.
Evans, Judith Carter, 37, and a 33-year–old woman, all of Prineville, were contacted at the home. Evans and Carter were arrested and more evidence regarding the fuel theft was located. User amounts of methamphetamine and heroin also were seized. The other woman was not arrested or charged, Savage said.
Evans faces charges of second-degree theft, second-degree criminal trespass, third-degree criminal mischief, the outstanding warrant and methamphetamine possession. Carter was charged with heroin possession.
The three suspects were booked into the county jail, but Seaton and Carter later were released due to lack of jail space, Savage said.
