On June 22nd Lincoln City Police apprehended two suspects involved in a credit card theft and fraudulent use of the credit card, which occurred on May 31st. Arrested were 40 year old Bobbie M. Mitchell and 33 year old Benjamin M. Saiville, both from Cloverdale. This case is the same theft case where two local females were mistakenly identified in a press release dated May 31.
Bobbie Marie Mitchell, Lincoln County Jail, Theft, Credit Card Fraud
The Lincoln City Police Department updated this media release to indicate that the two people depicted in the original media release, were not the suspects involved in the incident being investigated. Neither one had any knowledge of this incident, did not have any information relating to the actual suspects, and were not associated with the actual suspects or the crime in any way. (see Lincoln City Press Release posted below).
The victims reported the theft when they discovered their belongings missing after visiting the Taft area. They also reported finding fraudulent charges on their missing credit card, which had been made at Chinook Winds Casino and the Lincoln City Safeway. During subsequent investigation Mitchell and Saiville were identified as the suspects in the theft and fraud. On June 22 a Lincoln City Police officer observed Mitchell walking along Hwy 101 near NW 25th Street and she was taken into custody.
The arresting officer was able to discover during the arrest of Mitchell that Saiville was possibly in Newport at the Parole and Probation office. Lincoln City Police advised Lincoln County Parole and Probation of the probable cause to arrest Saiville and they took him into custody. Both were lodged at the Lincoln County Jail. They have each been charged with one count of Theft I and two counts of Fraudulent Use of Credit Card.
Lincoln City Police Press Release Retraction/Correction:
On May 31st, 2016 the Lincoln City Police Department authored a Media Release regarding two persons who had used a stolen credit at Safeway in Lincoln City. This media release also included two photographs depicting the alleged suspects. On June 8th, 2016 the Lincoln City Police Department updated this media release to indicate that the two people depicted in the original media release, Kelly Epperson and Mariah Martin, were not the suspects involved in the incident being investigated.
The updated media release incorrectly stated that Epperson and Martin assisted the Lincoln City Police Department in the development of the suspects ultimately arrested in this incident. This previous statement was not factually supported, and LCPD regrets the original publication thereof. The purpose of this update is to clarify the involvement of Epperson and Martin. They were interviewed by the investigating officer and based upon that interview, were cleared of any wrong doing.
Neither one had any knowledge of this incident, did not have any information relating to the actual suspects, and were not associated with the actual suspects. The Lincoln City Police Department regrets any negative consequence that may have occurred as a result of the previous media releases on this incident.
