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69 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, September 28, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 13, 2004 Man gets prison time for car clouts Authorities say conviction may clear as many as 60 vehicle break-ins throughout Jackson County By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune After years of shuttling in and out of jail on minor charges, the man authorities say is responsible for at least 60 Rogue Valley car clouts was sentenced Monday to more than six years in prison. Eric One Ziegler, 31, pleaded guilty Monday in Jackson County Circuit Court to a dozen charges, including first-degree burglary, aggravated first-degree theft, first-degree theft and identity theft. Thirty other similar charges were dismissed in exchange for Ziegler’s plea. The prison sentence of six years and two months — imposed by Circuit Court Judge Ray White — marks the end of a long string of local vehicle break-ins, many targeted at female drivers in broad daylight, detectives said. "We actually put a dent in the system this time," said Medford police Detective Justin Ivens. Investigators with Medford police and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department teamed up earlier this year to track similar thefts that were happening all over the county. The search led them to Ziegler, who staked out parking lots looking for women who left their cars without carrying a purse, detectives said. Advertisement Ziegler smashed car windows to take what he wanted and later passed off stolen checks, credit cards and identification to girlfriends who went on shopping sprees for him, investigators said. In many cases, Ziegler’s female accomplices committed more serious crimes than he did. Police said they believe the thefts will total more than $100,000, which Ziegler has agreed to repay. Methamphetamine addiction was fueling Ziegler’s theft habit, according to his defense attorney Vance Waliser. Ziegler exchanged much of the stolen goods and purchases with stolen checks and credit cards for drugs, said prosecutor Matt Chancellor. Until his February arrest, Ziegler was in and out of jail every few months because no single criminal charge was serious enough to keep him there for long given constant jail overcrowding. Upon Ziegler’s most recent arrest, Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters ordered jail staff to keep Ziegler in custody, and White set his bail at $500,000. Jackson County prosecutors since 1991 have filed 20 misdemeanor and felony cases involving theft, drugs, weapons and assault against Ziegler, who has listed addresses in Medford and White City. However, his longest stint in prison had been a year and one month, Chancellor said. A related criminal case is still pending against 26-year-old Tina Louise Parshall of Gold Hill. Parshall is accused of helping Ziegler in his car clout and identity theft scheme. Police arrested her on Feb. 6, the evening before officers caught up with Ziegler at the Cascade Inn Motel on Riverside Avenue. Parshall was released after spending 11 days in jail. She is set to stand trial April 28. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities