WLPD Break Car Prowl Ring, Four Arrested, Nearly 40 Cases Solved

Press release date: 2008-10-22
On October 1, 2008 a West Linn resident on his way home drove past a car stopped in the middle of the road with its lights out. He noted the license number on his I-Phone and went home, a few blocks away. He realized something was wrong and went back to where he saw the car. He found a neighbor's car window broken out. He then called 9-1-1 and reported the break-in and suspect vehicle license to the WLPD. The witness had been a car break-in victim a few weeks prior. The witness has asked not to be identified, but West Linn Police Chief Terry Timeus said "Without citizen involvement like this, this crime spree would still be continuing."

Based on information from the witness, West Linn Police Officer Matt Lysaght, partnered with Detective Nick Amendolara, initiated an investigation into a string of car break-ins in our area. During the course of their investigation, they discovered the suspects were responsible for close to 40 reported car break-ins in West Linn, Lake Oswego, and Happy Valley. The thieves told Officer Lysaght they targeted these areas due to their affluence; they knew they would find expensive things in the cars there. The thefts occurred during the months of August and September.

Read the attached press release and download a convenient form to make note of the serial numbers of all your electronics, then file in a safe place.