Three arrested in railroad spike theft
Author: Widerstand
Date: 03-29-2008 - 20:34
Two Lake Oswego men and a teenager were arrested for allegedly removing more than 100 railroad spikes, presumably to sell as scrap metal, police said.
Mark Mercer, 21, Russel McMurray, 20, and a 17-year-old boy were arrested Friday on suspicion of theft, criminal mischief and trespassing, Lake Oswego police said in a statement.
An officer spotted the three walking along the Portland Western Railroad near Southwest Boones Ferry Road, carrying a pry bar and the railroad spikes about 7 p.m. Friday, police said.
The railroad was immediately shut down for an inspection, said Capt. Michael Hammons. A railroad spokesman said the damage will cost about $1,500 to fix, according to the police statement.