Alleged bike thieves face charges - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2015-07-23

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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » NEWS NOW   Bill could gut GMO ordinance, group says       ...       Our View: We are not ready for The Really Big One       ...       Serious crime down in Medford       ...       Bill could gut GMO ordinance, group says       ...       Our View: We are not ready for The Really Big One       ...       Serious crime down in Medford       ...           CRIME Alleged bike thieves face charges Stolen bikes valued at more than $10,000 Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 28, 2015 at 4:24 PM Updated Jan 28, 2015 at 6:28 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 28, 2015 at 4:24 PM Updated Jan 28, 2015 at 6:28 PM »  Social News Two Eagle Point men face first-degree aggravated theft and second-degree burglary charges after allegedly stealing a pair of bicycles valued at more than $10,000. Christian Douglas Cochran, 19, and Christopher Sean Waites, 30, allegedly stole a $7,600 bike and a $3,699 bike from Unreal Cycles in Central Point in September 2014. They were arrested on Jan. 23 and are scheduled for arraignments in Jackson County Circuit Court this week. In interviews with Central Point police, the two said Waites broke a large window at the business and grabbed the $7,600 bike. The two accused each other of taking the second $3,699 bike and of coming up with the idea to break into Unreal Cycles, according to a police affidavit. Under Oregon law, aggravated theft involves stealing property valued at $10,000 or more, versus first-degree theft, which involves stealing property valued at $1,000 or more. Aggravated theft is more likely to lead to time in jail or prison compared to first-degree theft, where sentences usually include probation and/or time in jail, according to Oregon defense lawyer David Lesh. According to police, one of the suspects traded the $7,600 bike for items that included an iPod Touch and $100 cash. The person who received that bike said it came from Waites. The person then traded the bicycle for a motorcycle, but later found out the bicycle had been stolen and contacted police. Police recovered the $7,600 bike. After further investigation, police tracked the $3,699 bike to Cottage Grove, where Waites' girlfriend alleged he had given her the bike. She said he did not have the money to purchase such an expensive bike. Waites' father, who lives in Cottage Grove, identified the bike as one that his son had in his possession at the father's home. Cottage Grove police recovered that bicycle and Central Point police brought it back to Southern Oregon. After his arrest, Cochran was released on his own recognizance. Waites remained in jail as of Wednesday on $20,000 bail, according to Jackson County Jail records. Cochran also faces charges that he and another Eagle Point man, Austin Burkett, allegedly killed and left to waste a trophy bull elk and four buck deer in September off Lake Creek Road, taking only the heads. Cochran on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to four misdemeanors: aiding in a wildlife violation, unlawful waste of a game animal and two counts of unlawful taking or possession of a game animal, according to court records. Cochran also is currently in the appeals process for a July conviction and five-year hunting license suspension for violating a wildlife law, court records show. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous .   By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 28, 2015 at 4:24 PM Updated Jan 28, 2015 at 6:28 PM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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