Oregon State Police (OSP) Criminal Investigations Division, working in conjunction with Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, have recovered stolen construction equipment, tools, heavy equipment, and other property taken during multiple burglaries and thefts in Jackson and Josephine County, and California. One person is in custody in Jackson County Jail as the investigation continues. On February 6, 2014, OSP detectives and troopers executed search warrants at two properties near Rogue River located at 1495 W. Evans Creek Road and 12715 E. Evans Creek Road. The search warrants were authorized in connection with an OSP investigation after information was confirmed that several thousand dollars in stolen property and vehicles were at both properties. A suspect identified during the investigation named FRANK MORGAN WHEELER, age 43, who is a resident at the E. Evans Creek Road property. During execution of the search warrants, law enforcement officers identified and recovered approximately $10,000 worth of stolen property at the W. Evans Creek Road location, and approximately $80,000 worth of stolen property at the E. Evans Creek Road location. Much of the property was returned to the owners who responded to the different locations to help detectives identify their stolen items. Recovered stolen property included an excavator, tools, mobile contractor’s trailer, a travel trailer, flatbed trailer, construction site trailer, home cabinets and countertops, wiring, generators, and a Polaris quad. Evidence related to the investigation was also seized as well as a small amount of methamphetamine and a ballistic vest. WHEELER was taken into custody and lodged in the Jackson County Jail on the following charges: * Contempt of Court (warrant); * Aggravated Theft in the First Degree; * Theft in the First Degree; * Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine; * Felon in Possession of Body Armor. No other details to be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation and potential for other arrests and charges.
