Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
A Turner man with a history of property crimes is wanted by authorities after allegedly siphoning gasoline from vehicles belonging to the Lyons Post Office in October.
David Louie Surratt Jr., 22, is accused of stealing less than $100 worth of gas on Oct. 3 and 17, in addition to causing more than $100 in damage to the vehicles in question. He also allegedly stole a tire worth more than $100 from a private citizen on Oct. 23.
Surratt was charged Nov. 29 in Linn County Circuit Court with second-degree theft and two counts each of third-degree theft and second-degree criminal mischief. He was scheduled for arraignment Nov. 30 but failed to appear and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
Surratt has eight additional cases open in Linn, Marion and Polk counties related to theft, burglary, trespassing and similar offenses. He has allegedly stolen tens of thousands of dollars worth of tools during thefts and burglaries since 2020 and attempted to sell them on Facebook, in addition to possessing methamphetamine and attempting to flee police on multiple occasions.
Surratt was most recently convicted June 28 after pleading guilty to stealing tools totaling more than $7,000 from three different victims between November of 2021 and March in Marion County. He was sentenced to two months in prison and two years of probation, however he has since violated the terms of his probation and may face an additional 13 months in prison.
