Police asking for help to ID theft suspect in Oregon City, stole from several unlocked cars

Police asking for help to ID theft suspect in Oregon City, stole from several unlocked cars

Posted: Aug 23, 2018 5:35 PM PDTUpdated: Aug 23, 2018 9:36 PM PDT

By FOX 12 Staff

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OREGON CITY, OR (KPTV) -

Oregon City police said a suspect entered into 15 unlocked cars Wednesday night and stole what was inside.

Police said the majority of the thefts occurred around the Gaffney Lane, Meyers Road, Clairmont Way and Leland Road areas.

The suspect can be seen on surveillance videos trying door handles and entering vehicles that were unlocked.

One woman FOX 12 spoke with said she was in her garage off Pelican Lake Place around 2 a.m. Thursday morning when she heard something in the driveway. She called out hello, no one replied so she came out to see what was going on and saw someone running from her car. That's when she took off after them.

Sierra Lacio said whoever it was ran down the street, taking off with some of her belongings including a lockbox, mail with her name on it and her purse which luckily did not have her wallet inside.

Later, she found her purse dumped blocks away but she's feeling anxious about the theft.

"Super uneasy for everyone around here because I mean these are people who go to work and come home and work hard and they have nice things," Lacio said.

Another man we spoke with who lives near Gaffney Lane had his car broken into this week. 

Stefan Peterson showed us his BMW that was hit by thieves. They made off with an electric razor, sunglasses, a pocket knife and headphones.

"It's pretty weird cause I just moved here and this is kind of a calmer neighborhood so I was not expecting it," he said.

If anyone recognizes the suspect or has any information about the thefts they are asked to call the Oregon City Police Department Tip Line at 503-496-1616. 

If you live in these areas and have surveillance cameras, police would also appreciate if you could take a look to see if cameras have captured the suspect or any other suspicious person during the night. 

Police offered a couple reminders to keep you and your belongings safe:

• Remove it - Do not leave valuables or items that could hold valuables, such as backpacks, in your vehicle so a thief can see them.
• Secure it - Lock your vehicle when you get out of it.  Most of the thefts we are seeing are from unlocked vehicles. 
• A good routine to get into is the #9PMROUTINE.  At 9 p.m. every night, get into the routine of double checking that your cars and your house are locked.

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