LA GRANDE — Police arrested a La Grande man for attempting to steal gasoline from cars parked at the Intermountain Education School District office.

Police on Jan. 27 arrested Micheal McClune-Smith, 29, for first-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit a Class C felony, second-degree criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit a Class A misdemeanor, according to Oregon public records.

Police responded to the IMESD office in La Grande, 1604 27th St., for a report of two men attempting to steal fuel from cars in the parking lot, according to the probable cause declaration. Law enforcement later reviewed camera footage the district provided.

Shortly before 6 a.m. McClune-Smith and an unidentified man entered the parking lot with red gas cans, according to the probable cause declaration. McClune-Smith reportedly lay under two parked cars and attempted to drill into the fuel tanks. Police reported the unidentified man was acting as a look out, letting McClune-Smith know when other cars were coming.

The other man left when an employee pulled into the parking lot while McClune-Smith stayed between two cars, according to the probable cause declaration. He then reportedly placed all of the gas cans except for one into a dumpster near the fence that separates the IMESD parking lot from the Timber Ridge Apartments. Police report McClune-Smith had been staying at the apartments.

After loading the gas cans into the dumpster, McClune-Smith walked into the parking lot and grabbed a backpack, according to the probable cause declaration. He ran toward the front of the building when he saw the employee’s headlights coming in his direction.

Law enforcement reported McClune-Smith left the view of the camera for a few seconds and returned without the backpack. He then left the parking lot and walked towards the apartments.

McClune-Smith soon returned to the parking lot on a bicycle, according to the probable cause declaration, went back to the dumpster and collected the gas cans, which he tossed over the fence. Law enforcement stopped McClune-Smith as he went to leave the parking lot.

According to police, he reportedly denied attempting to steal the gas and had woken to “drilling” noises and came over to check what was going on.

Law enforcement recovered the drill and the red gas cans.

An IMESD employee told police one of the fuel tanks would need to be replaced, which would cost around $1,500, according to the probable cause declaration. The second fuel tank was damaged, but did not need to be replaced. Both tanks had been full and each cost $58 to fill.

Union County Circuit Court Judge Jared Boyd set bail at $5,000, according to Oregon court records. McClune-Smith is due in court March 3 for a plea hearing.