Police arrest ex-mill employee

Prineville Police made an arrest early this month in connection with suspected burglaries at Woodgrain Millwork Inc., according to Prineville Police Sgt. Tom Kurtz.

On Nov. 23, an approximately $3,000 theft was reported to police; about a week later, on Dec. 1, an approximate theft of about $10,000 worth of equipment, including a Ford F-350, was reported.

Police arrested Thomas Russell Dopp, 46, of Prineville, after Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies found him in the truck authorities believe he stole from the mill.

According to Kurtz’s news release, the deputies found a handgun and methamphetamine on Dopp, who was cited for possession of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a weapon. Police executed a search warrant on the truck, reportedly finding more items connected to those stolen from the mill.

Dopp, formerly an employee of Woodgrain Millwork, was taken to the Crook County jail by Prineville Police. After the mill’s roof collapsed in November 2014, the company laid off 218 workers, though Dopp stopped working there before that layoff. In October, the company announced it was closing the mill altogether, keeping the last of its employees on until Dec. 28th, according to Bulletin archives.

Several items remain missing, Kurtz wrote. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Prineville Police Det. Brandin Noland. The department can be reached at 541-447-4168.

— Bulletin staff report