Ontario police investigate burglaries
Police also make arrest in separate case
By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Thursday, December 11, 2008 10:13 AM PST
Ontario — The Ontario Police Department is investigating a burglary and an attempted burglary that occurred earlier this week.
OPD Capt. Mark Alexander said officers reported to Treasure Valley Optometry just after 9 p.m. Tuesday to investigate an attempted burglary.
Upon arriving at the building, situated at 297 S.W. 10 St., officers found that the doorknob on the back door to the building had been damaged. Alexander said it appeared the suspect or suspects had not gained entry.
However, a doctor’s office the next day was not so lucky.
Alexander said Dr. David W. Brauer’s office, situated at 1059 S.W. Third Ave., was also targeted, with entry made through a door. Officers responded to the scene at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
“I know cash was taken,” Alexander said.
Officers also arrested an Ontario man for an Owyhee County felony warrant stemming from a burglary at 7:35 p.m. Tuesday.
Alexander said officers went to the second story of an apartment complex situated at 675 N.W. First St. to arrest Stephen Valero, 19, for the felony warrant as well as a Malheur County misdemeanor warrant stemming from a probation violation.
Alexander said the officers spoke to a man who lived in the apartment, later discovered to be Joseph Cumbie, 19. Officers informed Cumbie of their intentions to arrest Valero, at which point Cumbie “slammed the door shut” and would not re-open it.
As officers spoke to Cumbie, Alexander said Valero jumped from the second story window and began to flee on foot. He was apprehended by an Oregon State Police officer who was assisting in the arrest. Valero was taken to jail and Cumbie was arraigned for hindering prosecution Wednesday afternoon at the Malheur County Circuit Court.
CONCERNED ONTARIO CITIZEN wrote on Dec 12, 2008 9:54 AM: