La Pine resident, 20, arrested on mail theft charges
Citizen tip of suspicious man by mailboxes brought sheriff's deputies to scene
La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A La Pine citizen's report of someone acting suspicious near some mailboxes and possibly stealing mail early Friday morning led to the arrest of a 20-year-old La Pine resident on numerous counts of mail theft.
Deputies received the report shortly before 6 a.m. of a suspicious person at a group of mailboxes in the area of Elderberry Lane and Pine Forest Drive, Sgt. Aaron Harding said.
Deputies found David Stephen Nessly on the scene and, after a brief investigation determined he had mail stolen from several mailboxes in the area.
Nessly was arrested and booked into the county jail in Bend. Harding said he faced 20 counts of mail theft, though only 10 were listed on the charges at the jail, where he was held Friday afternoon on $100,000 bail.
"The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office encourages any additional victims to call non-emergency dispatch at (541) 693-6911 to make a report," Harding said in a news release.
"The sheriff’s office would also like to remind citizens to be vigilant and report this type of suspicious activity during this holiday season," the sergeant added.
"It is a good practice to collect your mail on a daily basis, use a locking mailbox and ensure packages delivered to your residence are removed at the earliest opportunity," he wrote.
Online court records show Nessly pleaded guilty in late August to unauthorized use of a vehicle and third-degree criminal mischief, after being arrested for stealing a golf cart from La Pine Frontier Days on July 7 and damaging its frame three days later.
Nessly was sentenced to 15 days in jail, three years probation, 20 hours community work service and a $200 fine, and to be evaluated for substance abuse and start treatment within 90 days.
The judge's conditions included to not use or possess drugs without a valid prescription, including marijuana, or frequent places where drugs are used, court records show.
An Oct. 31 court filing indicated Nessly had failed to complete evaluation and treatment placement.
