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Police Arrest Man Who Allegedly Stole From Victim of Portland Attack

George Elwood Tschaggeny, 51, was arrested early Friday morning and booked on charges of theft, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse, police said.
George Tschaggeny, 51, allegedly stole a wedding ring and other personal belongings from one of the victims of last week's train attack in Portland.
George Tschaggeny, 51, allegedly stole a wedding ring and other personal belongings from one of the victims of last week's train attack in Portland.Portland Police Department / Portland Police Department

Portland Police have arrested a man accused of stealing a backpack and wedding band from Ricky Best, one of the victims killed while defending a woman and her friend from an anti-Muslim attack.

George Elwood Tschaggeny, 51, was arrested early Friday morning and booked on charges of theft, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse, according to a release from the police department.

Police said Tschaggeny was wearing Best’s wedding band at the time of his arrest and that the victim’s book bag was recovered nearby. Best’s wallet and several personal items remain missing.

"Suspect in theft of property from Ricky Best has been apprehended,” the department tweeted. “Great job Portland!"

Police released surveillance photos of a man with long hair and a baseball cap fleeing the scene of the attack late Thursday. They said the department received numerous tips from the community of a person matching Tschaggeny’s description who frequented an area near the I-84 highway. The tips led to his arrest.

George Tschaggeny, 51, allegedly stole a wedding ring and other personal belongings from one of the victims of last week's train attack in Portland.
George Tschaggeny, 51, allegedly stole a wedding ring and other personal belongings from one of the victims of last week's train attack in Portland.Portland Police Department / Portland Police Department

Homicide detectives said early investigations indicate that Tschaggeny allegedly removed Best’s ring “after the attack.”

He will be arraigned Monday.

Best was killed last week when Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, allegedly stabbed him and two other menwho tried to prevent Christian from verbally attacking two women, one of whom was wearing an Islamic headscarf, aboard a MAX train.

Best was an Army veteran and father of four. Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, 23, was also killed and 21-year-old Micah Fletcher was stabbed in the neck, but survived.