By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Thursday, March 11th, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
BAKER CITY – Two people have been arrested by Oregon State Police after an incident involving drugs, theft, and an impounded vehicle being stolen then set on fire. The incident, which began last month, ended recently with the arrest of two individuals from Yakima, Washington, Mark Caoile and Carole DeRoche both 45 years of age. Details on the original incident, investigation and arrests can be found below.
(Release from Oregon State Police) On 2/21/2021 an Oregon State Police Trooper conducted a traffic stop for traffic violations on a 1991 Ford box truck near North Powder, Oregon. During the traffic stop the Trooper developed probable cause to search the vehicle. A search of the vehicle located marijuana and a small amount of methamphetamine. During the traffic stop, a silver Cadillac Escalade (2007 – WA#BWK9834) stopped on scene and it was determined that the occupants were associated to the occupants in the box truck. The Cadillac was released from the scene, the occupants were transported to the OSP Baker office for follow-up and the box truck was towed to the OSP Baker City office pending a search warrant. The suspects were then released and the box truck was secured for the night.
On 02/22/21, OSP Trooper(s) were arriving at the Baker office and ultimately learned someone broke into the OSP Baker lot, stole the box truck by driving it through the closed gate and set the box truck on fire approximately 2 miles from the office.
On 02/23/21, OSP Troopers served a search warrant on the box truck and located 1.5 pounds of marijuana, 104 grams of methamphetamine and 288 grams of suspected fentanyl and other items including two stolen Stihl concrete saws, burglary tools and forged checks.
On 3/3/21, as part of a continuing investigation by the Oregon State Police, Carole DeRoche and Mark Caoile came to the OSP in Baker City to claim property they believe they were entitled to have from the truck and were arrested in a joint operation with Baker City Police Department.
Carole DeRoche was lodged into the Baker County Jail on charges of Forgery, 1st Degree; Hindering Prosecution; Criminal Conspiracy – UUMV, Possession of Burglary Tools. Mark Caoile was lodged into the Baker County Jail on charges of UUMV, Arson 2, Criminal Trespass 2, Criminal Mischief 1, Tampering with Evidence, DCS – Methamphetamine, Manufacture Methamphetamine, PCS – Methamphetamine, Import Marijuana Extract, Possession of Burglary Tools.