Sutherlin Police Recover More Than $50,000 in Stolen Merchandise, Arrest Roseburg Man

SUTHERLIN, Ore. - Sutherlin Police say more than $50,000 worth of merchandise stolen during a burglary at a local game store has been recovered, and a Roseburg man has been arrested in connection with the case.

According to Sutherlin Police Chief Troy Mills, officers responded Saturday, Aug. 22, at approximately 1:15 p.m. to a reported burglary at Nexus Games in the 1000 block of West Central Avenue. Police said the burglary had occurred Friday night.

During the investigation, officers used the city's Flock automated license plate reader, or ALPR, cameras to identify a suspect vehicle and develop additional investigative leads.

Police identified 38-year-old Lance Wayne Bratton of Roseburg as a suspect.

On Monday, Aug. 24, at approximately 9 a.m., Sutherlin Police officers, assisted by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, served a search warrant at a residence on North Bank Road near Roseburg.

Police said officers found and recovered all of the merchandise reported stolen from Nexus Games.

Bratton was contacted at the residence, taken into custody and transported to the Douglas County Jail. Police said he was lodged on charges of second-degree burglary and first-degree aggravated theft.

Mills credited the city's Flock ALPR system with helping investigators quickly identify a suspect vehicle and advance the investigation. He said the technology has become an important investigative tool for Sutherlin Police and has assisted officers in identifying people suspected of crimes.

The case remains under investigation, and police said additional charges may be possible.

Bratton has been accused of the listed crimes and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.