Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
Lyons mechanic arrested after hotrod goes missing
A Lyons mechanic accused of fraud multiple times in civil court is now facing criminal charges after allegedly billing a customer for work on a hotrod his shop did not possess.
Godofredo “Lee” Quiroz, 58, of Canyon Auto Service, was arrested May 2 by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office on charges of first-degree theft and second-degree forgery.
Quiroz, of Jefferson, was booked at the Linn County Jail then released on his own recognizance with orders to appear in Linn County Circuit Court May 29, according to jail staff.
According to a May 3 news release from LCSO, the alleged victim purchased a 1955 Ford Thunderbird in 2023 while it was undergoing restoration at Canyon Auto Service. The victim allegedly received invoices from Quiroz, the mechanic in charge of the restoration, for parts and labor amounting to more than $10,000.
After making the final payment in April, the victim allegedly discovered the Thunderbird was not at the shop and Quiroz was unable to produce the vehicle or provide its location. An investigation by deputies revealed the hotrod was allegedly not in the shop’s possession during the time the victim was billed for work.
The release said, as of May 3, “it is unknown what had happened to the vehicle or where it is located.” Those with information were encouraged to call LCSO at 541-967-3950.
As of press time charges had yet to be filed by the Linn County District Attorney’s Office.
New charges filed in Scio assault case
A Scio man has been charged for his alleged role in an attack on another man. The incident appears to be connected to the sexual assault of the victm’s sister earlier in April.
Brandon Lee Gretzon, 33, was charged in Linn County Circuit Court April 25 with first-degree burglary and third-degree assault for an incident April 5 at a residence on Thomas Drive.
Gretzon’s brother, Kevin Lee Gretzon, 26, was arrested at the location April 3 for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman there that day. Kevin Gretzon was released on $50,000 bail April 5. Reportedly the brothers arrived at the house as the alleged victim and her brother were removing her belongings, according to court records.
Kevin and Brandon Gretzon allegedly assaulted the woman’s brother in an unsuccessful attempt to force their way into the residence, according to court records.
Brandon Gretzon was released on $40,000 bail April 25. As of press time, Kevin Gretzon remained in the Linn County Jail in lieu of $1.6 million bail.
Brandon Gretzon is also facing multiple charges of failure to report as a sex offender and failure to appear on a criminal citation dating back to 2021.
Trial set for vehicle theft arrest in Lyons
A Eugene man is headed to trial on multiple felony charges after being arrested in Lyons allegedly in possession of a vehicle stolen during a burglary in Sweet Home.
Robert James Atkinson, 34, is scheduled for trial June 12 in Linn County Circuit Court for an alleged burglary occurring April 13 that involved the theft of a Ford sedan.
According to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, deputies located the vehicle April 15 in Lyons and when they attempted contact the suspect allegedly fled. The vehicle was abandoned in Lyons and a man matching the description of the suspect, identified as Atkinson, was found walking nearby.
Atkinson was taken into custody without further incident. A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered burglary tools as well as a pistol-style BB gun and a “Jason-style” hockey mask, said deputies.
Atkinson is charged with first-degree burglary, possession of a burglary tool, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, attempt to elude a police officer, ID theft and third-degree theft. If convicted he faces up to 20 years in prison on the highest count. As of press time remained in the Linn County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Assault II case dismissed
A felony assault charge against a Lyons woman has been dismissed in Linn County Circuit Court at the request of prosecutors.
On April 19, the Linn County District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to dismiss a charge of second degree assault against Ashley Nicole Blachowski, 34, “based upon the interests of justice.” The motion was granted April 20 by Judge Michael Wynhausen.
Blachowski had been accused of assaulting a Mill City man with a cinder block on Feb. 2. Under Measure 11 sentencing laws she faced at least 70 months in prison if convicted. The alleged victim, Benjamin Lyle Harris, has since been arrested for murder after allegedly killing Brian Rendon, 52, on March 20.
Court records did not indicate if Harris’ arrest impacted the case against Blachowski. The Canyon Weekly reached out to the DA’s office for comment and did not receive a reply by press time.
