Salem Police Make Arrest in Department of Defense Computer Theft

The Red Lion Inn's video surveillance and security system captured footage suspect entering the victim's vehicle, and that video was released to media sources

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(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police say a Department of Defense computer was stolen October 20th from a vehicle broken into at the Red Lion Inn at 3301 Market St NE. Lt. Dave Okada with Salem Police says the suspect in the crime has been arrested.

Okada says the Department of Defense-owned laptop computer that was stolen remains missing. Information from the employee was that the computer does not contain any classified material. The Red Lion Inn's video surveillance and security system captured an image of a suspect entering the victim's vehicle, and that video was released to media sources, says Okada.

"Tips received as a result of the media coverage together with the investigative efforts of Salem Police Officer Tina McFarlin led to the arrest of Patrick Allen Gerber," Okada added.

The Salem resident was charged with first-degree Theft. Okada says efforts are continuing to recover the laptop computer.