Alleged thief released with stipulation
By Terry Murry on Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – John Gertsch, 31, of Walla Walla has been released pending trial after being charged with stealing a phone and credit cards last week at a local service station. He was arrested by the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office last week.
The deputies were acting on an alert from Walla Walla police that Gertsch was believed to be leaving the area. He was taken into custody in Burbank WWPD had already found the phone discarded in a parking lot on Whitman Street. Court records indicate when the deputies arrested the suspect he was in possession of the stolen credit cards.
He is charged with suspicion of possession of another person’s identification, second-degree possession of stolen property, second-degree theft, and driving with a suspended license. Gertsch, who lists the Christian Aid Center as his home, has a record including a history of drug use. He was released from jail by the Walla Walla County Superior court, but has been ordered to participate in the jail’s supervision program. That program will include random drug tests.
