Hermiston police arrested two Hermiston men on burglary and other charges related to a break in at the Eastside Market earlier this month.
According to the Hermiston Police Department, officers were called to the Eastside Market, 582 E. Main St., on a report of a break in around 4 a.m. on Jan. 2. Video surveillance showed one of the suspects wearing a mask. A window was smashed and the two suspects entered the store and stole multiple packs of cigarettes before fleeing the scene.
On Jan. 18, Hermiston officers located a vehicle similar to one that was seen on the video. Through their follow-up investigation, interviews, and physical evidence they developed probable cause to arrest 24-year-old Devon Hollenbeck and 23-year-old Christopher Phillips, both from Hermiston. They are both accused of burglary, theft, conspiracy, and criminal mischief.
Hollenbeck was taken to the Umatilla County Jail. Phillips was already in jail on an unrelated case, where he is alleged to have stolen and crashed a Umatilla County Sheriff’s patrol car.
Investigators suspect Hollenbeck and Phillips are possibly involved in other recent burglaries. Those investigations are still continuing. Anybody with information is asked to call the Hermiston Police Department at 541-567-5519.
“This case demonstrates the value of property owners having working surveillance systems,” said Hermiston Police Cpt. Scott Clark. “In this case, the video provided a starting point for the investigation that ultimately led to these arrests.”
