Burglary, theft in remote Crook County lead to pair of Juniper Acres raids, stolen vehicles and items, one arrest
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A recently reported burglary and theft in a remote area of Crook County led to the discovery of stolen vehicles and other items, two raids in the off-the-grid Juniper Acres subdivision and a resident’s arrest on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm, sheriff’s deputies said Thursday.
The sheriff’s office was notified on April 25 of the burglary and aggravated theft, Lt. Mitch Madden said. Deputies who responded to the location found several stolen items, including motorcycles, tractors, trailers, four-wheelers and tools, worth more than $10,000 total, he said.
Deputies working the case were able to develop probably cause for search warrants at two locations in Juniper Acres.
Sheriff’s deputies and the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team served a search warrant Tuesday at a location on SE Palm Lane, leading to the arrest of Miguel Martinez-Villa, 36, of Prineville on the charge of felon in possession of a firearm after a gun was found during the raid.
Deputies also found a large gooseneck trailer that was reported stolen out of Lake County, the lieutenant said.
The next day, CCSO and CERT served the second search warrant at a property on SW Redwood Lane, also with a Prineville address, Madden said. That raid led to the seizure of the items reported stolen from the remote county location, as well as stolen items related to other theft reports in the county.
No arrests were made during the second raid, but Madden said the investigation is continuing.
The Crook County Sheriff’s Office thanked STAR Towing, the Crook County Road Department, Prineville Police Department and CERT for their assistance in the investigation.
Court records show Martinez-Villa was sentenced earlier this year to 20 days in jail and five years' probation and sex offender treatment after pleading guilty late last year to a felony charge of luring a minor. Three other charges were dismissed.
