PORTLAND, Ore. — Police say they’ve made progress in solving a series of burglaries at new home construction sites across the Portland metropolitan area. The thefts have cost more than 20 homebuilders and related companies thousands of dollars in the past year.
The Oregonian reported that a transient already jailed on an unrelated matter has been charged with three counts of burglary and six theft counts and additional charges are pending. Tigard police spokesman Jim Wolf says there could be additional arrests.
The 14-month investigation has involved six police agencies. On Wednesday, Wolf says Tigard and Happy Valley police seized a host of recovered appliances from a southeast Portland residence.
Dave Nielsen is chief executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland. He says there’s always going to be some kind of theft, but this was “an obviously professional hit ring” that knew how to target model homes, staged homes or homes under construction.
Wolf says the thieves made off with refrigerator-freezers, ovens, microwaves, venting systems, televisions, tableware, draperies and wall art.
Talk to us
- You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing newstips@heraldnet.com or by calling 425-339-3428.
- If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to letters@heraldnet.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
- More contact information is here.