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Man faces charges for theft of bleachers
40, 4-foot bleachers from OSU Softball Complex were located at Albany metal yard
Lauren Dillard
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: News
An arrest has been made in the theft of 40 aluminum bleachers stolen from the OSU Softball Complex, according to an Oregon State Police press release issued Thursday afternoon.
Richard Kenneth Roberston, 51, was arrested early Thursday morning as part an investigation conducted by Trooper Chris Graves.
The bleachers, which disappeared on Sept. 24, were reported missing by the OSU Athletics department. The bleachers had yet to be assembled and were to be added to the existing structure.
"They will be returned," said OSP Station Commander Lt. Phil Zerzan. Though, Zerzan said, he wasn't sure when they would be returned.
Graves investigated the matter by contacting local metal-recycling companies, according to the release.
Burcham's Metals in southwest Albany reported that the sections of bleachers had been turned in to them for cash. Records kept by the company led to the arrest of Robertson, who has no known address. He was reportedly living in a van two blocks from campus.
According to Zerzan, Robertson faces charges of theft in the first degree and a parole violation. Robertson was on active parole for the state of Oregon for charges, information on which was not being released.
The 4-foot bleachers were valued at approximately $1,000.
The theft of scrap metal has become such a problem in Oregon that the Oregon Legislature has decided to do something about it.
House Bill 3026, which was signed by the governor at the conclusion of the 2007 legislative session, will hold scrap metal dealers responsible for the sources of the products they are distributing.
Tougher laws are meant to encourage scrap metal dealers to track the name, a description and other details on individuals that scrap metal is purchased from.
"It does a couple things," said Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany, a former state trooper who also served as one of the co-sponsors. "It puts pressure on and holds accountable the recycling organizations."
Olson said that some thieves, who may be trying to support a drug habit, will make off with rain gutters, plumbing, pipe, road signs, power lines, phone lines and irrigation pipe.
They have even been known to strip guard rails along bridges and roads. Thieves can steal iron, steel, brass, bronze, aluminum and other metals for cash.
Burcham's Metals, where the bleachers were located, kept records that go above and beyond the records required by the legislation yet to be enacted, according to Zerzan.
Richard Kenneth Roberston, 51, was arrested early Thursday morning as part an investigation conducted by Trooper Chris Graves.
The bleachers, which disappeared on Sept. 24, were reported missing by the OSU Athletics department. The bleachers had yet to be assembled and were to be added to the existing structure.
"They will be returned," said OSP Station Commander Lt. Phil Zerzan. Though, Zerzan said, he wasn't sure when they would be returned.
Graves investigated the matter by contacting local metal-recycling companies, according to the release.
Burcham's Metals in southwest Albany reported that the sections of bleachers had been turned in to them for cash. Records kept by the company led to the arrest of Robertson, who has no known address. He was reportedly living in a van two blocks from campus.
According to Zerzan, Robertson faces charges of theft in the first degree and a parole violation. Robertson was on active parole for the state of Oregon for charges, information on which was not being released.
The 4-foot bleachers were valued at approximately $1,000.
The theft of scrap metal has become such a problem in Oregon that the Oregon Legislature has decided to do something about it.
House Bill 3026, which was signed by the governor at the conclusion of the 2007 legislative session, will hold scrap metal dealers responsible for the sources of the products they are distributing.
Tougher laws are meant to encourage scrap metal dealers to track the name, a description and other details on individuals that scrap metal is purchased from.
"It does a couple things," said Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany, a former state trooper who also served as one of the co-sponsors. "It puts pressure on and holds accountable the recycling organizations."
Olson said that some thieves, who may be trying to support a drug habit, will make off with rain gutters, plumbing, pipe, road signs, power lines, phone lines and irrigation pipe.
They have even been known to strip guard rails along bridges and roads. Thieves can steal iron, steel, brass, bronze, aluminum and other metals for cash.
Burcham's Metals, where the bleachers were located, kept records that go above and beyond the records required by the legislation yet to be enacted, according to Zerzan.
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