A 37-year-old Fruitland man accused of stealing over $100,000 worth of trailers, motorcycles, ATVs, and a boat from an Eagle-area storage unit business earlier this year is being held in the Ada County Jail.
Charles J. Havens is charged with eight felony counts of grand theft and a misdemeanor count of contempt of court in connection with the case.
Detectives have recovered some of the stolen items but continue to look for several others – including: two Honda CRF 230 motorcycle/dirt bikes; a 2006 Yamaha TTR 230 dirt bike, a 1978 motorcycle, and YFM 350 ATV; a Coleman pop-up camping trailer; a brown and tan Rockwood travel trailer; and five trailers used to haul items like motorcycles and ATVs.
The brazen series of thefts began in late December when Havens got access to the entry code to the storage busines from an acquaintance.
Once inside, Havens stole several flatbed and enclosed trailers, motorcycles, ATVs, campers, a 21-foot boat, and other equipment between late December and late February.
Deputies began investigating the case Jan. 23 when contacted by a customer of the business, who was driving by earlier that day and did not see their trailer parked in the usual spot, which was visible from the road. That trailer had a children’s swing set inside.
The owner figured out it had been stolen from the lot and called Eagle Police. Several thefts occurred after the initial report.
Detectives were able to use surveillance video and other evidence to identify Havens as a suspect. It appears he drove in, attached trailers to a white SUV, and then stole them. They were also determined Havens had left the Eagle-area and was living near Ontario, Oregon.
Detectives went to the Ontario-area home in late February and found many of the items that were stolen from the storage business – including the boat, which had been chopped up for parts — a Jayco travel trailer, a Yamaha ATV, tools, motorcycle supplies, and bicycle supplies.
Detectives also developed evidence Havens stole $6,000 and a 2018 Nissan SUV from the acquaintance he got the storage code from. They found the Nissan at the Ontario home.
Detectives continued to work on the case and collect evidence, including multiple interviews. Ada County prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Havens in early April. Deputies found and arrested him in Oregon on April 22.
He was brought back to Ada County on Tuesday. He remains in the Ada County Jail on a $10,000 bond. He is set to make his next court appearance on May 10.
Detectives are still looking for the stolen material. Anyone with information should send an email to [email protected] or call (208) 577-3707.