Salem, OR. — A Salem man was arrested early Wednesday morning after officers caught him inside a hardware store on Wallace Road NW attempting to steal merchandise.
At about 12:36 a.m. on October 29, Salem patrol officers responded to an alarm activation at the business. The store’s owners, who had also noticed the camera feed go offline, called 911 to report multiple triggered alarms.
When the first officer arrived, they saw a masked individual moving inside the closed store. Officers quickly contained the building, and a Marion County Sheriff’s Office canine unit assisted in the search. After initially trying to flee, the suspect exited through the front door and was taken into custody without incident.
Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Tristan Sillman of Salem. Investigators determined he had broken a rear window to enter the store, tampered with surveillance equipment, and gathered several items including power tools, knives, and other goods in preparation for theft.
During the arrest, officers also found a concealed fixed-blade dagger under Sillman’s clothing.
A convicted felon, Sillman was booked into jail on multiple felony charges, including burglary, criminal mischief, theft, and felon in possession of a weapon.
The Salem Police Department thanked the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for its assistance. The Polk County District Attorney’s Office will handle prosecution.
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