PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The second suspect accused of stealing construction equipment from a Gresham church was arrested Thursday morning.
Gresham police said Michael Schroeder, 40, was with Gabriel Deere, 43, who was arrested Wednesday. Two men were caught on camera loading the equipment onto trucks and trailers and driving away.
The John Deer skid steer and mini excavator, which were loaned to the church by a member’s family, were worth about $800,000.
The church has been operating in the former Skateworld building near Gresham High School. Over the past year, they’ve gutted the Skateworld to renovate it.
Pastor Jason Clarke told KOIN 6 News it will have a “massive kids area,” a sancutary, a coffee shop, and a “baseball training organization renting from us in the back.”
The skid steer was found in Estacada and the excavator was found in Woodburn and will be returned to the construction company.
Schroeder and Deere both face two counts of aggravated theft.
