Independence Man Sentenced To Over Two Years In Prison For Robbery. (Photo)
- 07/13/26
DALLAS (OR) – Abraham Vela, of Independence, has been sentenced to serve 30 months (2.5 years) in prison for a January, 2026 incident in which he knocked down, punched, and scuffled with his victim before attempting to steal the victim’s cell phone. The victim was able to subdue Vela and restrain him while witnesses contacted police. According to the investigation, the victim was not known to Vela and the attack was random in nature.
Vela, 41, appeared before Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso and pled guilty to Robbery in the Third Degree. Judge Caso also ordered Vela to serve a 24-month term of Post-Prison Supervision upon his release with a recommendation for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Judge Caso imposed the maximum sentence allowed under Oregon’s Repeat Property Offender statute in light of Vela’s extensive criminal history.
The case was investigated by the Independence and Monmouth Police Departments and prosecuted by Polk County Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew T. Wilson.
Independence Man Sentenced To Over Two Years In Prison For Robbery. (Photo)
- 07/13/26
DALLAS (OR) – Abraham Vela, of Independence, has been sentenced to serve 30 months (2.5 years) in prison for a January, 2026 incident in which he knocked down, punched, and scuffled with his victim before attempting to steal the victim’s cell phone. The victim was able to subdue Vela and restrain him while witnesses contacted police. According to the investigation, the victim was not known to Vela and the attack was random in nature.
Vela, 41, appeared before Polk County Circuit Judge Rafael A. Caso and pled guilty to Robbery in the Third Degree. Judge Caso also ordered Vela to serve a 24-month term of Post-Prison Supervision upon his release with a recommendation for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Judge Caso imposed the maximum sentence allowed under Oregon’s Repeat Property Offender statute in light of Vela’s extensive criminal history.
The case was investigated by the Independence and Monmouth Police Departments and prosecuted by Polk County Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew T. Wilson.