By The Hermiston Herald

Hermiston Stolen property from Auto Kool in Hermiston was recovered mid-morning Oct. 5 during a search at a residence off of Diagonal Road in Hermiston.

The Hermiston Police Department, assisted by Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office deputies, executed a search warrant at 33546 E. Columbia Lane.

Arrested at the scene were Kristina Janssen, 39, and Andrew Kauffman, 41, both of 33546 E. Columbia Lane, Hermiston. Janssen was taken into custody and charged with first degree theft, conspiracy to commit theft, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, and endangering the welfare of a minor. Kauffman was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine and endangering the welfare of a minor. Both were processed at the Hermiston Police Department and lodged at the Umatilla County Jail.

Additional information led officers to 2099 Diagonal Road where additional property belonging to Auto Kool was recovered. Christopher Digges, 32, of that residence, was charged with first degree theft, conspiracy to commit theft, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and possession of burglar’s tools. Digges was also processed in Hermiston and later lodged in the dedicated jail bed for the Hermiston Police Department at the Umatilla County Jail.

The property stolen from Auto Kool consisted of radiators, which once broken down, contains varying amounts of copper which can then be sold at high prices, which are currently running over two dollars a pound.

“We recovered several radiators with an estimated value to be in the thousands,” said Hermiston Police Lt. Jason Edmiston.

Edmiston says employees of Auto Kool were instrumental in identifying thousands of dollars of stolen property that was recovered.