Police arrested two men last week after allegedly catching them using a stolen truck to steal slate rock and a $10,000 trailer from a logging company.
Jonathon James Earwicker, 45, of Estacada, and Lance Mitchell Gerber, 65, were arrested by Clackamas County deputies working with Oregon City police late Tuesday, June 13, after they reportedly arrived in a stolen Ford pickup at a Weyerhaeuser property in the area of Tumala Mountain Road near Porter Road in Estacada.
Police say Earwicker cut locks on a Weyerhaeuser gate before the duo loaded the flatbed of the truck with slate rock stolen from a quarry on the property. While at the scene, officials say they also decided to steal a $10,000 trailer set up for wildland firefighting, then fled the area.
Deputies reportedly soon located the duo and activated patrol lights, after which the thieves ditched the truck (which had been reported stolen out of Gresham in April) and ran into a field on Southeast Duus Road.
With help from an Oregon City Police drone team and county K-9 officer Urban, deputies located Gerber in a ditch, partially submerged in a small creek, and Earwicker in the field, buried a pile of debris.
Earwicker had a felony warrant for his arrest out of Clackamas County, according to police. Both men were transported to Clackamas County Jail.
Gerber was booked on charges of first- and second-degree theft and second-degree criminal mischief. His bail was set at $25,000.
Earwicker was booked on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, first- and second-degree theft, attempt to elude, second-degree criminal mischief and the arrest warrant. His bail was set at $90,000.
Anyone with further information about criminal activity related to Earwicker or Gerber is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 503-723-4949 or at the online tip line. Please reference case no. 23-012398.
