Walla Walla Man Arrested in La Grande Bookstore Robbery
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, March 9th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – The La Grande Police Department responded to a reported break-in at Archives Book Store in La Grande at 4:35 a.m., March 8, after receiving a 911 call from the Store’s Owner, Timothy Osterloh. La Grande Police Department gave the following description of the incident:
“Osterloh reported a man had broken into the Archives Book Store and disabled the store’s security camera system, which alerted Osterloh. Osterloh said when he went to the store to investigate, he found and confronted a male subject who was in the store stuffing a duffel bag with stolen items. The male was later identified as Robert Frates (39) of Walla Walla.
Osterloh said when he tried to stop Frates, Frates assaulted him and then fled the store. Osterloh received minor injuries during the altercation with Frates. La Grande Police Department officers received a good description of Frates from Osterloh and quickly located Frates a couple of blocks away from the store. Frates immediately fled from our officers but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. Frates, a convicted felon, was arrested for Assault IV, Theft II, Burglary I, Unlawful Possession of Burglars Tools, Criminal Mischief II, Robbery II and Felon in Possession of a weapon (throwing knives). This investigation was brought to a successful conclusion due to the quick actions of Osterloh and the quick police response by our officers. The stolen items that were in Frate’s possession were returned to Osterloh.”
