A man was arrested last Friday in Vernonia following a grand jury indictment for alleged timber theft.

42-year-old Ryan Brubeck was taken into custody on multiple charges, including two felonies: First-Degree Theft and First-Degree Criminal Mischief.

According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the indictment and arrest followed a months-long investigation. It began when Northwest Timber Patrol, a contractor that provides security services for major timber companies, uncovered evidence of extensive timber theft in the Keasey area of western Columbia County.

The theft and resulting damage also affected land that includes a riparian buffer zone—an area along streams that is legally protected during timber harvesting due to its importance in maintaining water quality and supporting wildlife.

The sheriff’s office clarified that while many timber companies, as well as state and national forests, allow firewood harvesting with the proper permits, this situation was not permitted.