Two men have been arrested after they were suspected of looting in Marion County and then attempted to evade police in a high speed chase. This all comes amid the Oregon wildfires that have engulfed the west coast.
On Thursday, a number of reports were made in regard to a suspicious white van roaming Santiam Canyon, which has been evacuated all week due to the Beachie Creek fire. Fire crews in the area also spotted this suspicious vehicle.
Upon police presence, the van sped away, driving into a gold course and eventually getting caught after authorities used spike strips.
The two suspects are identified as 21-year-old Anthony Travis Bodda and 36-year-old Alexander Justin Jones. The attempted to flee on foot but were caught by a K-9 unit. An investigation of the van found multiple items authorities believe to be stolen.
A look at two guys @MCSOInTheKnow deputies say were looting in the #beachiecreek fire ravaged area Thurs. morning pic.twitter.com/f7KueS3443
— Mike Benner (@MikeBennerKGW) September 11, 2020
“I am disappointed that while in a state of emergency these people would victimize members of our community,” Marion County Sheriff Joe Kast said in a statement.
Following this story, men residents have attempted to re-enter the evacuated area, fearing their home will be looted. A Spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service urged residents to stay calm and away from the engulfed area as at least 300 residents wanted to push through and get back to their homes.
Lots of reports of looting in Oregon fire zones. We need to defund the police as soon as possible so that the looting will cease. https://t.co/doKG1XA7QC
— Peter Boghossian (@peterboghossian) September 11, 2020
Bodda and Jones were taken to the Marion County jail where they were being held on a number of chargers including burglary, attempted theft, and reckless driving.
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