Albany Police

Forgery — An Albany man was arrested Friday for allegedly asking his elderly mother and her friends to cash phony checks for him. The man allegedly stole the checks, then forged the owner’s signature.

Leroy William Govro, 44, of Albany was arrested on charges of identity theft, second-degree forgery and related charges. He was lodged in Linn County Jail with bail set at $37,500. He is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Nativity gone — A nativity scene was reported stolen from the front yard of a home in the 3200 block of 22nd Avenue S.E. Friday. There are no suspects or witnesses.

Linn County Sheriff

Rhody evidence — Deputies Friday received a call from Linn County Fair & Expo staff that the memorial garden had been damaged by a vehicle. A deputy noted a pickup a block away from the fairgrounds with rhododendrons hanging from the undercarriage. The deputy ran the plate, located the owner, and was told the owner’s boyfriend had been driving the pickup.

After initially claiming ignorance, the man admitted he had been involved in a hit and run in a nearby Expo Parkway mobile home park and fled the scene, traveling through the memorial garden. Fair & Expo staff told deputies the vehicle dislodged two wooden benches and a boulder, causing more than $3,000 in damage. Floyd Eugene Thorp, 41, of Albany was cited for hit and run, driving while suspended, and driving without insurance.

Quad stolen — A $9,000 white Yahama four-wheeler was reported stolen from the 500 block of North Sixth Place in Harrisburg on Friday morning. The owner of the vehicle lives in Portland and a friend had been storing it. The friend returned home the day after Christmas after being away for a few days and noticed it was gone.

Horse theft — A five-year-old male horse valued at $1,000 was reported stolen from the 32900 block of Harnisch Drive on Friday. Also stolen were $800 of tack and riding gear.

School vandalized — Five windows were reported broken out at the Tangent Elementary School on Friday evening. Deputies believe the damage is related to other recent vandalism in Tangent.