Medford Craigslist ad leads to stolen goods - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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Medford Craigslist ad leads to stolen goods Michael Shane Akers Wednesday Sep 7, 2016 at 4:03 PM Sep 7, 2016 at 4:03 PM Nick Morgan Mail Tribune @mtcrimebeat One of two suspects tied to a cache of more than $20,000 worth of stolen goods discovered through a Craigslist ad entered not guilty pleas today. Michael Shane Akers, 35, of Medford, pleaded not guilty in Jackson County Circuit Court to felony charges of aggravated first-degree theft, first-degree theft and drug possession. Police say Akers' Craigslist ad for allegedly stolen custom-made furniture was spotted by the owner on Aug. 19. Jackson County sheriff's deputies obtained a search warrant on Akers' property in the 2400 block of Roberts Road and found a utility trailer containing nearly $18,000 in household goods and electronics, including the custom coffee table and two end tables posted in the ad, according to documents filed in the case. The victim had reported her utility trailer stolen Aug. 4 while it was parked on her property in the 7400 block of Highway 234 in Central Point. The combination of the trailer and its contents was valued at $23,675. Most of the property the victim kept in the trailer was recovered, according to court documents. Deputies alerted Medford police, who recovered other property at Akers' residence, including tools reported stolen from construction sites on July 19 and 25, a Niner road bike reported stolen in August and an Apple iPad reported stolen from a vehicle in January 2015, court documents state. Akers allegedly told police he took possession of the trailer from a friend and knew the property inside was stolen. He also admitted to owning a bag of methamphetamine and an LSD tablet investigators found during their search, according to court documents. Britney Leticia Villa, 27, whose number allegedly was listed as a contact in the Craigslist ad, also faces felony aggravated first-degree theft and first-degree theft charges, but has yet to enter a plea. An arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 23, according to court records. Akers pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated first-degree theft, five counts of first-degree theft, a count of possessing methamphetamine, a count of possessing a Schedule I controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of second-degree theft. His next court hearing is set for Oct. 10. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat.