Detectives from the Washington County Sheriff's Office Property Crimes Unit recovered property stolen from a vehicle over the weekend and have returned it to the rightful owner.
On Sunday, November 12, a man living in the 8800 block of SW Cashmur Drive in West Slope reported that someone had broken into his vehicle and stolen his work tools. The man provided a detailed list of the stolen tools to a patrol deputy and told the deputy that some of the tools had been marked with his initials.
The man later located one of his stolen items on OfferUp, an app-based sales platform. Detectives from the Property Crimes Unit followed up and made arrangements to meet with the seller. After confirming the seller had stolen items belonging to the victim, detectives recovered tools valued at $1,000.
Detectives cited Raymond A. Chavez, 30, of Portland, for unlawful entry into a motor vehicle and theft in the first degree.
Thursday morning, detectives were able to return the stolen items to the grateful victim.
The website OfferUp helped detectives during the investigation.
Detectives from the Property Crimes Unit recommend that owners record serial numbers for their property and/or apply distinct markings to make identification of items easier.