ST. HELENS, Ore. (KOIN) – Deputies conducted a sting operation in Rainier and recovered $20,000 worth of stolen goods after a pawn shop in Longview tipped them — leading to the arrests of 6 people.
Two of the people accused of stealing collectibles, including Beatles memorabilia, sold some of the items in Portland.
Daniel Fredrick Gomez and David Glenn Barker both remain in the Columbia County Jail following their arrests last week.
Gomez and Barker entered a detached garage in the 74000 block of Laurel Wood Road and stole about $20,000 worth of memorabilia, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The items taken included sports memorabilia, die cast cards, Beatles memorabilia, and other collectibles.
The items that were stolen were then hidden throughout Gomez’s residence in the 73000 block of Lindberg Road in Rainier.
Deputies said they originally responded to a burglary call on Dec. 8. Weeks later, a pawn shop tipped off deputies about suspicious items that had been pawned.
On Jan. 2, Gomez and Barker tried to sell a stolen amplifier to an undercover police officer in Rainier, according to court documents. Deputies conducted a sting operation on the same day and subsequently served a search warrant at a home in Rainier, leading to the arrests.
Aside from Gomez and Barker, Vanessa Jeanette Zamora, Rebecca Lynn Wynn, Desiree Kristine Kauffman and Bruce Dylan Arquette were also arrested.
Gomez later admitted to selling 100 vintage collectible albums in Portland for $200, as well as Beatles books to Powell’s Book.
Police learned that when Gomez went to sell the stolen musical amp he drove while suspended. Investigators later learned the suspects kicked in a door and then pried it open during the burglary.
Gomez is charged with burglary, aggravated theft, theft, unlawful possession of meth, possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a minor. Barker is charged with burglary, aggravated theft and criminal mischief. Zamora is charged with theft, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a minor. Wynn and Arquette are charged with theft. Kauffman is charged with theft, endangering the welfare of a minor and a felony fugitive warrant.
Gomez and Barker had their first court appearance on Friday, Jan. 5 in St. Helens.