Lane Co. SO release – On February 3rd, 2022, just after 2:00am, a male entered the Applegate Church of the Nazarene and stole several items. He returned about an hour and a half later and stole even more items. In all, the male stole approximately $1,500 worth of property from the church. Surveillance video captured images of him and his truck during the burglary. The same male returned on February 15th to steal more property. Deputy Schwanke was assigned to investigate the burglaries. On February 18th, Deputy Mike Hudson contacted the occupant of a white Dodge Dakota pickup in the Veneta area. The occupant was identified as 49 year old Wayne Anthony Eldridge. Eldridge’s involvement in the burglaries was not clear at that time. Following this contact, Deputy Schwanke and Deputy Hudson were able to work together and determine that the male depicted in the burglaries was the same male that had been contacted and identified as Eldridge. On March 8th at about 11:30am, deputies responded to the Bailey Hill Market regarding the report of a male passed out in a white Dodge pickup. Upon arrival they contacted the male, Eldridge, and took him into custody. He was transported and lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges related to the burglaries.
