Police Make Arrest in South Salem Burglaries

The suspect was taken into custody after briefly fighting with a K9.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police received reports of two residential burglaries that occurred in south Salem Friday morning. Lt. Steve Birr with Salem Police says both reports came in about noon and involved residences in the 3100 block of Mulberry Drive South and 3000 block of Camellia Drive South.

"Astute neighbors on Camellia Drive South had taken notice of a suspicious man who had come to their doors looking for a female friend," Birr said they provided police with a detailed description of the man.

Birr says that just after 1:00 p.m., Officer Steve Mayberry was searching the area for the suspect when he observed a man at the Plaid Pantry, 3105 River Road South, who matched the description.

"When Officer Mayberry attempted to make contact with him, the man threw a backpack at the officer and took off running west on Golf Course Road," Birr said.

Officer Sean Cooper and his K9 Jack responded to assist according to Birr.

"The suspect was taken into custody after briefly fighting with the K9, during which the suspect received minor injuries."

The suspect was identified as 46-year old Nathan Thor McVay, whose address is unknown.

McVay was charged with a Parole Violation, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting Arrest, as well as Possession of Less Than One Ounce of Marijuana.

After receiving treatment for his injuries, he was booked into the Marion County Correctional Facility.

Detective Tom Johnson has subsequently obtained a search warrant for the backpack McVay had discarded.

Police say they recovered stolen property in the backpack worth in excess of $15,000 that has been linked to the two burglaries, as well as another which occurred that same day in the 2800 blk of Dogwood Drive South.

A stolen handgun was also found in the backpack, Birr said.

McVay now faces additional charges of three counts of first-degree Burglary, first-degree Aggravated Theft, first-degree Theft, second-degree Theft, first-degree Criminal Mischief, second-degree Criminal Mischief, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The matter remains under investigation.