SALEM -- A man arrested for breaking into parking meters on the Oregon State Capitol Mall was a fugitive wanted in California, police said.
Police were called to the 700 block of Summer Street NE at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday on a witness report of a man breaking into parking meters, according to Oregon State Police Lt. Gregg Hastings.
Responding officers found the suspect walking away from the area, carrying a bag. Investigators said the bag was full of tools, including a hacksaw that had been used to tamper with he parking meters.
The suspect was identified as 65-year-old Walter L. Schmidt, who was living at the Union Gospel Mission in Salem. He was arrested for criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools. Police learned he was wanted in California for a felony parole violation.
OSP was investigating an incident in late February, in which a parking meter valued at more than $800 was stolen from the Commerce Building parking lot, but Hastings said it was not known whether Schmidt was connected.
