Man arrested for theft and more, items stolen from local church

BAKER CITY – (Release by the Baker City Police Department) – On February 18, 2021 at approximately 10:15 pm, a Baker City Police Officer was flagged down by a citizen and was told that a male individual in dark clothing was attempting to gain access to the inside of vehicles on Kirkway Street. 

Officers ultimately followed tracks in the snow to the Leo Adler pathway and contacted Joshua Milton Thomas, dob: 08/12/1989. During the course of the contact with Thomas, the Officers found him to be in possession of multiple stolen items that were reported stolen from Saint Francis Catholic Church, Baker City; to include the Bishop’s Chalice, another chalice, silver and gold Crucifix and three gold plates. The value of these items was approximately $11, 000.00. 

Officers determined Thomas had gained access to at least six vehicles and attempted to gain access to 13 additional vehicles on Kirkway Street and was in possession of stolen items form those vehicles. The aggerate value of the combined stolen items was approximately $600.00. Officers also seized a quantity of Heroin from Thomas. Additional investigation will determine if Thomas was responsible for the Burglary and Theft from the Catholic Church.

Thomas was lodged in the Baker County Jail on the following charges;

Aggravated Theft by Receiving

Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle x 6

Attempted Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle x13

Cited for Unlawful Possession of Heroin

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Elkhorn Media Group