Burglars Caught in the Act in Gates

When deputies arrived they quickly surrounded the house, that it is when Melvin Roehm, age 46 walked out the front door carrying an arm load of stolen property.

Suspects, Melvin Roehm and Joshua Archer

(SALEM) - Alert neighbors in the 100 block of Maple Street in Gates called the Sheriff's Office March 24^th at about 11:45 a.m. and reported that two men were at a residence and stealing items from inside. The residence has been vacant for several months and was broken into after the suspect's pried open the plywood covering the front door.

When deputies arrived they quickly surrounded the house, that it is when Melvin Roehm, age 46 walked out the front door carrying an arm load of stolen property. While deputies were taking Mr. Roehm in custody his accomplice attempted to run out the back door.

The second suspect Joshua Archer, age 34 was immediately taken into custody by a Marion and Linn County deputy who were watching the back door. All of the stolen property was recovered and Mr. Roehm was taken to the Marion County Jail where he was charged with Burglary I. Mr. Archer was cited and released from the scene.

The Sheriff's Office is always seeking alert neighbors to be a part of our Neighborhood Watch Program. For more information on this program please call the Community Resource Unit at 503-588-7981.

News Release from Marion Co. Sheriff's Office