JOHN DAY — Five young men face a variety of charges related to a string of thefts — including 14 chainsaws and 12 firearms — over the last year in Grant County.

The thefts began Sept. 14, 2019, and continued until June 26, according to multiple indictments Grant County District Attorney Jim Carpenter filed Aug. 19. The court documents reported at least 38 victims and list a variety of goods, including chainsaws, guns and tools.

The district attorney charged the following:

•Tanner E. Walczyk, born in 1999, of Mount Vernon, with more than 100 counts from September 2019 to June 2020, including 30 counts of criminal conspiracy, 22 counts of first-degree theft and 18 counts of unlawful entry into motor vehicle.

Walczyk was faces a separate charges Umatilla County of second-degree robbery, second-degree assault, third-degree assault and third-degree attempted assault, according to a Feb. 14 indictment in Umatilla County.

•Austin J. Catron, 18, of John Day, with more than 70 counts from September 2019 to June 2020, including 20 counts of criminal conspiracy, 15 counts of first-degree theft nd 13 counts of second-degree theft.

•Clayton W. Ellis, born in 1998, of Prairie City, with 16 counts, including four counts of criminal conspiracy, two counts of first-degree theft and one count of second-degree burglary.

Jonas C. Waiteof Pilot Rock is charged with four counts of criminal conspiracy, one count of second-degree theft and one count of unlawful entry into a motor vehicle allegedly committed Sept. 27, 2019, according to an Aug. 19 indictment.

•Cody R. Combs, born in 2000, of Prairie City, with one count each of criminal conspiracy, second-degree theft and second-degree criminal trespass.

The inducements also listed a juvenile as a co-conspirator

In a July 1 press release about the thefts, Carpenter said Grant County experienced an uptick in thefts, including the thefts of chainsaws, firearms, tools and other equipment. Carpenter also encouraged residents to lock their cars and homes, not leave valuables in plain sight and be vigilant in watching out for themselves and their neighbors.