Alex Paul
A 31-year-old woman who moved to the community just days before the Cedar Shack Drive-In restaurant was burned and robbed, was arrested Friday and charged with fraudulent use of a credit card, 12 counts of identity theft and 12 counts of computer crime.
Marne Rae Ringheimer was transported to the Linn County Jail where remained until Saturday.
Sweet Home Police Chief Bob Burford said the arrests were made in cooperation with agents from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Chief Burford said the Hufford family, owners of the Cedar Shack, contacted the SHPD last week with information that a credit card they believed had been destroyed in the September 24 fire, was being used.
“We began tracking the purchases, which led us to seek the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,” Chief Burford said. “Some of the purchases made with the stolen card were delivered through the mail, which is a federal crime.”
Two postal service agents were involved in Friday’s raid on the residence at space 17, 3224 Main (South Fork Trailer Park.)
Seized Friday were items associated with the restaurant fire/burglary, multiple credit cards and personal items if identification from various victims and illicit purchase records.
Ringheimer’s two minor children were taken into protective custody by the Department of Human Services.
Chief Burford said Monday that two Lebanon men are also being sought for questioning in connection with the case.