Man Arrested For Stealing Metal From Marion County Farm

Since January there have been approximately 75 reported thefts made to the Sheriff’s Office involving farm/nursery equipment which is believed to have been stolen for the purpose of selling as scrap metal for money.

Michael David Bauman was arrested in Woodburn Photo courtesy: Marion County Sheriff

(WOODBURN) - Marion County Sheriff`s Office detectives have made one arrest involving the theft of aluminum molding, valued at $4,500, from a farmer who resides on Howell Prairie Road NE, near Woodburn. The theft had been reported on February 23rd. On Tuesday, 24-year-old Michael David Bauman was arrested without incident at a Woodburn area business. Bauman was booked at the Marion County Jail for Theft First Degree, and Conspiracy to Commit Theft Lt. Bob Stai says during the course of the investigation, investigators learned the stolen articles had been scrapped at a Salem area scrap metal recycling company. The on-going investigation has developed other suspects. Additional arrests are anticipated. Metal thefts have been on the rise within the Marion County area to the increase value of scrap non-ferrous metals. Farmers and nursery owners make significant investments in operating their businesses. They are often more vulnerable to these thefts due to their location in rural areas Stai said. Often there are financial losses such as the inability to water corps because irrigation pipes and equipment have been removed from the fields. The Sheriff`s Office is working with other law enforcement agencies and the Marion County District Attorney`s Office on these cases.