Central Oregonian

Two local residents arrested for one of several car thefts

Angela Halsey and Kevin McDaniel were caught in one of the stolen vehicles

Jason Chaney

March 14, 2013

Last week, Prineville police arrested two local residents in connection with one of several vehicle thefts reported in the past two months.

Prineville Police Chief Eric Bush said that the police department has taken at least five reports of vehicles that were either stolen in the community or recovered in Prineville after someone had stolen them elsewhere. These vehicles include two Honda passenger cars, a compact Dodge passenger car, one Honda SUV, and one compact Chevrolet pickup.

Police arrested 25-year-old Angela June Halsey and 22-year-old Kevin Michael McDaniel one week ago in connection with one of the thefts.

“They were caught in one of the stolen vehicles,” Bush said.

Halsey and McDaniel were both charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Property, and Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree. McDaniel was also charged with a probation violation. Both suspects were booked and lodged in the Crook County Jail, although Halsey was released the same day due to overcrowding.

While the Prineville Police Department occasionally encounters vehicle thefts, they do not typically deal with as many in such a short period of time. Bush said they have seen almost twice as many car thefts than they did in 2012 during the same two-month time frame.

Bush noted that every stolen vehicle in the recent group of thefts was left unlocked and at least two keys to the vehicle were left inside. He is consequently urging drivers to take the necessary precautions to secure their vehicles.

“The Prineville Police Department wants to remind everyone to lock your car and to never leave your car unattended with the keys inside,” Bush cautioned. “It is important to remember to store your vehicle title in a safe location other than your vehicle. Only the vehicle registration card should be carried in the vehicle, along with proof of insurance.”

At this time, police are still investigating the rash of thefts.

“Investigators are pursuing a number of leads in these cases and it is suspected that at least some of the incidents may be related,” Bush said.

Anyone with information regarding the recent vehicle thefts or suspicious activity that might be related to the thefts is encouraged to contact Detective James Peterson of the Prineville Police Department at 541-447-4168.