Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports yesterday, at 5:19 p.m., her deputies responded to the report of a burglary in the 39000 block of Santiam Bluffs Road near Albany. Deputies learned numerous power tools were stolen the night prior and the victim located them on Facebook.
During deputies’ response, they learned the victim arranged to meet with the suspect, pretending to purchase the tools. Upon meeting, the victim loaded some tools and explained he would not pay for the tools since they knew the tools were stolen and belonged to them. The suspect got in their vehicle, fleeing the scene with the victim following.
The suspect fled to the area of Hochspeier Road near Jefferson Highway, parked their vehicle and walked away from the scene. Deputies arrived, contacting the victim and searching the area for the suspect. During this time, deputies learned the vehicle was stolen and contained additional stolen property.
Deputies eventually located Luke Tillman, 34, of Washington who attempted to give false names for his identity. The victim confirmed it was the person attempting to sell his stolen tools and driving the stolen vehicle.
Deputies took Tillman into custody and began to transport him to the hospital after he stated he swallowed fentanyl. Tillman was medically cleared and transported to the Linn County Jail for Burglary II, Theft I, Attempted Theft I, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Vehicle, Computer Crime, Criminal Mischief III, Criminal Trespass and Giving False Information to a Police Officer.
It has become a common ruse for those being transported to the jail for crimes to tell law enforcement they ingested narcotics in an attempt to avoid jail. Your Linn County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to holding people accountable and routinely have deputies remain with offenders as they are medically cleared before being lodged in jail. We want to ensure people first get any medical care they need while balancing the community’s expectation for people to go to jail.