Former Police Officer Arrested on 6 Counts of 1st Degree Theft

$29,000 of union funds are missing, police say, and they believe Rodriguez is responsible.

Robert Rodriguez of Salem Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon State Police detectives arrested a former Woodburn police officer Wednesday morning related to the alleged theft of funds while he was the treasurer for the Woodburn Police Association.

Oregon State Police Detective Terri Davie arrested 33-year old Robert Rodriguez of Salem, on six counts of Theft in the First Degree.

They say the arrest followed an investigation that began one year ago after OSP was contacted by Woodburn Police and the Marion County DA's Office, over the theft of police union funds.

Davie says they believe Rodriguez took the money, adding that the OSP investigation indicated over $29,000 of union money was missing.

Rodriguez reportedly resigned from the Woodburn Police Department just before the investigation began. A Marion County Grand Jury indicted him on the mentioned charges and a warrant was issued, leading OSP detectives to arrest him on Wednesday. Rodriguez was lodged in the Marion County Jail.