(KEIZER, Ore.) - Marion County deputies were called out to Windsor Island Road today after a citizen reported finding two men on their property "burning wire" which police say is often an attempt to burn the plastic coating off of wire in order to sell the metal.
Commander Jason Myers with the Marion County Sheriff says the property owner suspected the males were possible drug users and made contact with them. He reportedly told them he had called the Sheriff's office and deputies were enroute, he then warned them to stay where they were.
Myers says that one of the suspects immediately took off running into a wooded area. The second suspect remained at the scene until deputies arrived and he was taken into custody.
Myers said, "There were several farm owners and nearby rock quarry employees in the area who were able to give deputies information on where Packer may have gone. Deputy Randy Corey and Lieutenant Joe Kast were able to track Packer hiding approximately 3/8 of a mile away inside a very large patch of berry briers."
Myers says he had burrowed deep into it and without the help of the civilians in the area and work by Deputy Corey as well as Lieutenant Kast, Packer might not have been found.
The two suspects were arrested on charges of Criminal Trespass II, Criminal Mischief II and Offensive Littering and transported to the Marion County Jail.
Marion County Deputies Track Alleged Metal Thief Hiding in Brier PatchSalem-News.com