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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 11, 2006 Police chief allegedly stole steps By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — Criminal charges filed against Police Chief Dean Muchow stem from his alleged theft of metal steps from an old mill site in Union County, court documents show. Muchow is accused of stealing a set of metal steps valued at $2,500 from private property sometime between Jan 1, 2002, and Dec. 31, 2004, according to Union County Circuit Court documents. Union County District Attorney Martin Birnbaum confirmed Tuesday that Muchow — formerly head of Union’s police department — faces charges of felony theft and criminal trespass, a class "C" misdemeanor. Muchow was hired as Gold Hill’s chief in December 2004. Attempts to reach him Tuesday were unsuccessful. Birnbaum filed an affidavit in court on Dec. 23 requesting a criminal citation against Muchow. Advertisement The affidavit said that according to Union police reports, the owner of an old mill site told Muchow his metal steps were missing. Muchow told the man he had taken them for use at City Hall. Police determined the steps were not at City Hall "and probably never had been," the affidavit said. The steps were later found attached to a residence owned by Muchow, the affidavit said. Birnbaum said Union sources who told the Mail Tribune Monday that Muchow had been indicted on the felony charge were incorrect, he said. While an indictment or a preliminary hearing typically follows a district attorney’s request for citation, at this point Birnbaum said he is still trying to establish the date of the crime before the case can proceed, he said. "(This situation) is unusual," said Birnbaum. "But that’s the way it is right now." Birnbaum stressed the new charges only recently came to light. The allegations are not related to Muchow’s September 2004 misconduct and theft trial in which he was found not guilty. Court records also show Muchow filed civil suits in August last year against the City of Union, Councilman Gordon Arlie and former Councilman Jack Zimmerman. Gold Hill Councilwoman Jan Fish said Muchow’s legal issues appear to violate his contract with the city. "It is in his contract that his litigation with the City of Union was to be resolved before he was hired," said Fish. Muchow’s Gold Hill contract also stated he would resign if found guilty in the earlier case, Fish said. Union City Administrator Joe Wraybek had no comment to make on the civil or criminal legal issues. "It’s the district attorney’s show," said Wraybek. "It’s their indictment." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail Police chief allegedly stole steps ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Discount Hotel Reservations dvd-r Online Pharmacy Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Advertisement s