Judge grants Conditional Release for Suspected HVAC Thief; Victims, DA protest
This image released by The Dalles Police Department shows Tyson and Chandra Trezona being arrested on Dec. 21, 2024 outside their home at 2426 W. 13th Street in The Dalles after being secretly indicted on charges of stealing HVAC equipment from the National Neon Sign Museum.
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., June 2, 2025 — A Wasco County judge granted conditional release Monday to Tyson Trezona, a 35-year-old man facing multiple theft-related charges, allowing him to enter a long-term residential treatment program in Corvallis despite strong opposition from victims and the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office.
Wasco County Circuit Court Judge Marion Weatherford
“If you quit or leave the program, this release will be dismissed and you will go to prison,” Wasco County Circuit Court Judge Marion Weatherford told Trezona at the hearing held on Monday, July 1. “The program is harder than NORCOR, but an olive branch for hope—that’s a big deal.
Multiple statements from several family members and step children attested to Trezona’s kindness and willingness to listen which Weatherford described as intelligent and appeared to signal that the Judge believed Trezona had success mentoring his step children and their friends who lived with the family. The children in the family ranged in ages from teenagers to mid-20s.
Trezona, of The Dalles, entered the courtroom wearing an orange jail-issued jumpsuit, orange rubber shoes, and white socks. He isaccused in a string of property crimes dating back to late 2023—including the theft of over $20,000 worth of HVAC systems from The Dalles Neon Sign Museum—was ordered into the Milestones Family Recovery program after a hearing that lasted several hours and included emotional testimony from both his family and victims.
The National Neon Sign Museum sits across the street from The Dalles Police Department. Thieves boldly stole the Museums HVAC units in November 2024. Photo via Google Maps
Judge Weatherford said Trezona’s path was much more difficult than being housed at NORCOR Jail because of the Milestones program that required not only admission of his wrongdoing as well as making amends to the people he hurt through a 12-step program.
“This is not sentencing, but it kind of is,” Weatherford told the court. “You’re at a pivotal point in your life.”
Deputy District Attorney Caleb Berthelsen
The decision did not sit well among victims of Trezona’s alleged crimes or Deputy District Attorney Caleb Berthelsen.
Berthelsen detailed three separate release agreements Trezona violated during the past two years, including his forfeiture of $3,500 in a security deposit when he failed to appear on charges of stealing the HVAC units.
He also pointed out that local police had spent numerous hours investigating the cases and then attempting to arrest Trezona who was eventually was found being hidden in the trunk of his wife’s car in an attempt to elude police back in April.
Berthelsen also pointed out in his motion to deny the release that Trezona had failed to appear in cases in California and his most recent release evaluation listed 4 probation violations, 2 contempt of court arrests and 2 failures to appear in Court.
The Chief Deputy DA was emphatic stating Trezona would eventually have to do his time in prison. He said he is facing 38 months in prison if he fails the rehabilitation program.
Chronic Pattern of Theft, Evasion
Trezona has been implicated in multiple thefts around The Dalles since late 2023, including burglaries of HVAC equipment, stolen tools, and property recovered from his garage and shed on West 13th Street. According to The Dalles Police Sgt. Austin Ell, investigators linked him to several thefts through video surveillance, fingerprint evidence, and eyewitness accounts. Video of the Trezona couple show them selling HVAC scrap metal in Portland, police said.
Trezona’s criminal history includes felony possession of a firearm and repeated failures to appear in court. He previously forfeited a $3,500 bail bond after absconding and has been held in NORCOR jail since his most recent arrest.
Deputy District Attorney Caleb Berthelson strongly opposed the release, citing Trezona’s history of violating court orders, evading law enforcement, and refusing to attend prior hearings—even while in custody.
“He is not a candidate for conditional release,” Berthelson argued. “He has been methodical in avoiding accountability.”
Emotional Testimony from Family, Victims
Trezona entered the courtroom in an orange jumpsuit with visible signs of long-term drug use and stress. His defense attorney, Louis Grossman, told the court Trezona suffered from Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that could lead to cancer, and said the defendant was motivated to change.
“He’s trying to stay alive,” Grossman said. “If he doesn’t change now, he may not get another chance.”
Trezona’s wife of 15 years, Shandra Trezona, who herself pled “no contest” to aggravated first-degree theft and hindering prosecution after hiding her husband in the trunk of her vehicle, also spoke in favor of release.
“No Contest” is a plea given when the defendant does not admit guilt but agrees that there is likely enough evidence to convict them. In the eyes of the law it is treated exactly as a guilty plea, however, Shandra never admitted any wrongdoing.
At the hearing, she appeared in black lightweight sweater, with blonde hair pulled back, and a neck tattoo that appeared to read “Always and Forever.”
And she told the Judge, “I don’t believe he will fail to appear again because he is so dedicated to all of us.”
Shandra is currently on three years probation and must pay more than $20,000 in restitution to the Neon Sign Museum. She is looking at 18 months in prison if she fails to meet the conditions of her plea agreement.
Family members, including stepchildren Trezona had helped raise, testified that he had been a supportive figure when sober. Several choked back tears while recounting how he taught them work ethic and trade skills at an oil service business in Hood River and had been a dependable caregiver in their childhood.
“He’s always been there for me,” one stepdaughter said. “I think treatment is the best place for him.”
Trezona’s mother also took the stand, acknowledging her past struggles with alcohol but expressing confidence in her son’s potential to change.
Community Speaks Out: “Terror in the Neighborhood”
But two neighbors, including one woman who lived near the Trezonas' former home, painted a very different picture. They described a neighborhood plagued by suspicious activity, late-night noise, and repeated police raids, including SWAT deployments.
“There’s been no apology, no accountability,” one neighbor said, citing property thefts and name-calling by family members. “We don’t feel safe.”
The neighbor recounted how stolen items from her vehicle were found in the Trezonas' garage following a raid. She noted vulgar name calling.
The Trezona Home at 2426 W. 13th Street with no Trespassing Message.
The Trezona home was posted with “no trespassing WILL GET F---ED up” signs.
As the woman, a neighbor who lives near the Trezona residence on West 13th Street, described the distress and fear caused by the family’s presence in the neighborhood—including incidents of theft and name-calling—an outburst erupted from one of the Trezona children seated in the courtroom gallery.
The emotional moment appeared to be triggered when the neighbor suggested that the children may have also been involved in the troubling behavior. The outburst was audible enough to prompt Judge Weatherford to acknowledge it, signaling a disruption of the proceedings.
“No one interrupted you when you were making your statements,” the Judge told the young man and then repeated the same message several more times when the family member continued to interrupt.
Despite the tension, the neighbor continued her testimony, emphasizing that neither Tyson nor Shandra Trezona—or any of their children—had ever apologized to the community. She stressed the ongoing emotional impact the family had on the neighborhood, describing it as a “terror” that had gone unaddressed.
Judge Weatherford later referenced her remarks, stating “I believe the neighbor who said she was called names. I know she’s telling the truth.”
This episode underscored the emotional weight of the hearing and highlighted the deep divide between the family’s view of Trezona as a man trying to change—and the victims’ experience of ongoing harm and fear.
Sgt. Austin Ell confirmed the extent of Trezona’s alleged crimes, including multiple confirmed thefts of tools, HVAC equipment, and firearms possession - a Ruger 10/22 with a drum magazine with the ability to fire 3 to 12 shots per second. He estimated he had spent more than 100 hours dealing with Trezona-related investigations.
Medical Condition Cited as Motivation for Treatment
A key argument presented by defense attorney Louis Grossman centered on Tyson Trezona’s serious health condition—Barrett’s esophagus—a disease caused by long-term acid reflux that can develop into esophageal cancer if left untreated. Grossman told the court that Trezona’s condition had reached a critical point and that incarceration without medical intervention could be life-threatening.
“He’s really trying to stay alive here,” Grossman said. “He’s got a neosophagus condition that leads to cancer. If he does not change his lifestyle... it’ll be too late.”
Grossman linked the condition directly to Trezona’s long history of substance abuse. According to court testimony, Trezona's substance use began with alcohol, then hard alcohol and marijuana. Over time, his drug use progressed to daily methamphetamine use and later included opiates and heroin.
Grossman argued that entry into the Milestones Family Recovery program in Corvallis would offer Trezona a final opportunity to get sober, stabilize his health, and prevent further decline.
“He has to do it for his family,” Grossman said.
Treatment Program Details
The court heard from Monica Morton of Morton Attorney Services of Albany, Ore., who arranged for Trezona’s placement at Milestones Family Recovery, a 90- to 120-day residential program followed by transitional housing. She described it as a faith-based, accredited facility with a rigorous schedule of therapy, addiction recovery, and behavior monitoring.
Clients have minimal contact with the outside world during the initial phase and must abide by strict rules, with expulsion possible for any violations. Five people from The Dalles have successfully completed the program, she testified.
Judge Weatherford acknowledged the concerns of the victims but emphasized the potential for long-term benefit if Trezona completes the program.
“If he is unsuccessful, he will go to prison,” Weatherford said, addressing both Trezona and his family. “Don’t hurry it along. Don’t make it happen sooner.”
The judge encouraged the Trezonas to make amends, even if they felt misunderstood.
“Say sorry to the neighbors,” he said. “Even if you feel wrongly accused.”
Trezona’s release is conditional upon full participation in the treatment program. Any violation will result in his return to custody, where he faces significant prison time.
