A 48-year-old Siletz man arrested Thursday faces felony burglary and misdemeanor criminal mischief charges in connection with the June 26 theft of fireworks from the Philomath Lions Club’s fundraising stand.
Philomath Chief of Police Dave Gurski said a team approach to the investigative work and evidence accessed through video cameras helped lead to the arrest of Patrick Leo Ball Jr.
“A lot of this was really just good investigative work,” Gurski said.
Colter Forrest was the lead officer on the case for the Philomath Police Department.
The second-degree burglary charge, a Class C felony, relates to the theft of fireworks that were valued at $808. The second-degree criminal mischief charge involves $25 in damage to the lock that was securing the fireworks stand’s door.
Gurski said none of the fireworks that had been stolen were recovered.
The events that led to the suspect’s arrest started in Newport at around 7:30 p.m. July 3 when a police officer there reported that he had encountered Ball. The Newport officer took him into custody and took him to Lincoln County Jail.
Forrest drove to the coast, interviewed Ball at the jail and then transported him to Benton County Jail in Corvallis.
“He had just gotten off shift shortly before 7 when we got the call from Newport PD that they were in contact with the suspect,” Gurski said. “So he suited up, got right back in and shot over to the coast and took care of it. I’m definitely happy with his dedication — he did a great job on this one.”
Another Philomath officer, Conor Ringwald, helped a great deal on the case, Gurski added, with his connections on the coast. Ringwald formerly worked for the Toledo Police Department. The chief also lauded the efforts of law enforcement in Newport and Lincoln County for their help.
“It was kind of a group effort by about three or four of our officers and then also some help from the folks on the coast so it was nice to see that happen,” Gurski said.
Philomath Police had identified Ball as the suspect several days before his arrest based on video evidence that included the suspect’s face and the Lexus RX 300 that he was driving.
The Philomath Lions Club stand operated from June 23 through July 4 in the Marys Peak True Value parking lot.
Ball was arraigned Monday in Benton County Circuit Court where not guilty pleas were entered. Bail was set at $5,000 with 10% of that amount to be posted as security for release. A court status check hearing was scheduled for July 15.
