A Salem police officer was arrested Wednesday in the Portland area, police say.

Seth T. Thayres is accused of two counts of first-degree theft, a felony, and misdemeanor unlawful possession of methamphetamine, according to court records. He was one of two men arrested as part of an investigation into two burglaries, Portland police said.

Portland police said detectives were following up Wednesday on a pair of burglaries in which more than $30,000 worth of property was taken and determined two people — Thayres and 35-year-old James Cardenas — had sold stolen property related to one of the heists.

The duo was arrested.

Thayres was jailed early Thursday and released on his own recognizance, according to jail records.

He was on administrative leave, “awaiting the outcome of a fitness for duty evaluation,” when he was arrested, according to Salem police.

The agency said he was put on leave in October.

Salem police hired Thayres, now 31, in 2014. He was off duty when he was arrested.

Cardenas remains in the Multnomah County Detention Center. He’s accused of first-degree theft, first-degree aggravated theft, second-degree burglary and unlawful possession of methamphetamine, court records show.

-- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

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