Cruel Craigslist hoax was elaborate burglary coverup, police say
JACKSONVILLE, Ore. -- Police arrested two suspects Monday night in the cruel Craigslist hoax that cost a Southern Oregon man much of what he owned.
Amber Herbert, 28, of Medford, and her husband, Brandon Herbert, 29, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit a computer crime.
Police searched a computer that they owned and found evidence that linked them to the case, according to Sheriff Mike Winters with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
He said the couple had stolen saddles and other items from a garage on the Jacksonville property a few days earlier and created the Craigslist posting on March 22 as an elaborate plan to cover up their crime.
The Craigslist ads in question said that the owner of a Jacksonville home was forced to leave the area suddenly and his belongings, including a horse, were free for the taking, said Jackson County Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Colin Fagan.
Salisbury actually had no plans to leave
The independent contractor was at Emigrant Lake when he got a call from a woman who had stopped by his house to claim his horse.
On his way home he stopped a truck loaded down with his work ladders, lawn mower and weed eater.
"I informed them I was the owner, but they refused to give the stuff back," Salisbury said. "They showed me the Craigslist printout and told me they had the right to do what they did."
The driver sped away after rebuking Salisbury. On his way home he spotted other cars filled with his belongings.
Once home he was greeted by close to 30 people rummaging through his barn and front porch.
Investigators eventually identified the IP address where the fake posting came from and tracked it to the Herberts.
"Several deleted files, as well as other evidence connecting the computer to the Craigslist post were located on the computer. Both suspects deny any involvement with the free items listing," Winters said. "The couple did admit to taking several saddles from the property and selling them. We believe the items were likely sold over the Internet."
Winters said the Herberts originally went to the property because it was listed as a rental and they were looking for one. Then, they went back later and burglarized it.
Jackson County Sgt. Colin Fagan called the whole plan "sinister."
Some property returned
Meantime, belongings removed from Robert Salisbury's property began slowly reappearing at his home a day after the postings. Police said people who return the items voluntarily will not be prosecuted.
Officers were still contacting people who were seen leaving Salisbury's house with his stuff. If they return the taken items, no charges will be filed. But people who don’t return what they took may face charges.
Police were also asking anyone who recently purchased saddles from a Medford resident through an ad over the Internet to contact the sheriff's office at (503) 774-6800 or 774-6812.
Amber Herbert, 28, of Medford, and her husband, Brandon Herbert, 29, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit a computer crime.
Police searched a computer that they owned and found evidence that linked them to the case, according to Sheriff Mike Winters with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
He said the couple had stolen saddles and other items from a garage on the Jacksonville property a few days earlier and created the Craigslist posting on March 22 as an elaborate plan to cover up their crime.
The Craigslist ads in question said that the owner of a Jacksonville home was forced to leave the area suddenly and his belongings, including a horse, were free for the taking, said Jackson County Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Colin Fagan.
Salisbury actually had no plans to leave
The independent contractor was at Emigrant Lake when he got a call from a woman who had stopped by his house to claim his horse.
On his way home he stopped a truck loaded down with his work ladders, lawn mower and weed eater.
"I informed them I was the owner, but they refused to give the stuff back," Salisbury said. "They showed me the Craigslist printout and told me they had the right to do what they did."
The driver sped away after rebuking Salisbury. On his way home he spotted other cars filled with his belongings.
Once home he was greeted by close to 30 people rummaging through his barn and front porch.
Investigators eventually identified the IP address where the fake posting came from and tracked it to the Herberts.
"Several deleted files, as well as other evidence connecting the computer to the Craigslist post were located on the computer. Both suspects deny any involvement with the free items listing," Winters said. "The couple did admit to taking several saddles from the property and selling them. We believe the items were likely sold over the Internet."
Winters said the Herberts originally went to the property because it was listed as a rental and they were looking for one. Then, they went back later and burglarized it.
Jackson County Sgt. Colin Fagan called the whole plan "sinister."
Some property returned
Meantime, belongings removed from Robert Salisbury's property began slowly reappearing at his home a day after the postings. Police said people who return the items voluntarily will not be prosecuted.
Officers were still contacting people who were seen leaving Salisbury's house with his stuff. If they return the taken items, no charges will be filed. But people who don’t return what they took may face charges.
Police were also asking anyone who recently purchased saddles from a Medford resident through an ad over the Internet to contact the sheriff's office at (503) 774-6800 or 774-6812.
Source
Labels: Common sense takes another shot to the head, Culture Commentary, Tech
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