Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that on August 14, 2024, Michael David DeChellis, 57, of Aumsville, was arrested after a six-month investigation. The investigation began on February 5, 2024, when a victim from Maryland, called the Linn County Sheriff’s Office to report he sent four comic books to “Hero Restoration”, located on Santiam Terrace Road, near Lebanon, in February 2019. The victim reported the comic books had a value of nearly $62,000 and he had also paid DeChellis, the owner of “Hero Restoration” just over $5,000 for the restoration services he requested to be performed. The victim reported that DeChellis had not returned his comic books, had not refunded his money, and stopped communicating with him.
Shortly after receiving this complaint, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office was able to identify nineteen other customers of DeChellis from out of state who reported similar circumstances as the first victim, where their valuable comic books were sent to DeChellis for restoration, large fees for the service were paid, and the comic books were never returned. The total value of the reported stolen comic books from the multiple victims, and loss of restoration fees totaled over $300,000. The customers reporting their comic books stolen were from the states of Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, Washington, Texas, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Colorado.
Investigators were able to determine that DeChellis filed articles of dissolution for his business, “Hero Restoration” in 2023 with the Secretary of State’s Office. Investigators were able to determine some of the reported stolen comic books had been sold online, as well as to a private comic book dealer in Washington, after the dissolution of Hero Restoration.
Investigators attempted to contact DeChellis regarding the complaint but found he had moved and were unable to locate him for several months. On August 14, 2024, investigators were able to track down DeChellis, who was now living in the 10000 block of Stayton Road SE in Aumsville, in Marion County, Oregon. Investigators arrested DeChellis and transported him to the Linn County Jail for ten counts of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, seven counts of Theft in the First Degree, and Racketeering. Investigators also served a search warrant on the property where he was located. Investigators seized numerous comic books and evidence related to the thefts.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (541) 967-3950.