On July 21, 2020 when a Stayton medic unit was reported stolen from Santiam Hospital, the Stayton Police Department and Linn County Sheriff’s Office have been working follow-up. The 2014 Dodge medic unit was found burned to the frame on a forest road outside of Mill City on that same date. The theft and fire resulted in an estimated $150,000 loss in the vehicle and its contents. Linn County assisted in the recovery of the unit and subsequent arson investigation.
The suspect in the case, Joshua Matlock, was taken into custody by Linn County deputies and assisting officers on an unrelated Linn County incident on October 8, 2020. Stayton officers followed up on information related to Joshua Matlock for possession of stolen property from the medic unit. With the new information, Joshua Eric Matlock was charged on October 10, 2020 with Theft 1, UUMV and Arson II related to Stayton case 20-4233, and the stolen medic unit. He is currently lodged at the Linn County jail https://www.linnsheriff.org/jail/current-inmates/view-inmate/?id=284950
The case is still an open investigation. Should anyone have further information related to this case, please contact Stayton Police at (503) 982-2340.