On Sunday March 25, 2018, Central Precinct officers focusing patrols in the area of Northwest 14th Avenue and Everett Street to address car prowl activity observed a man break into a parked car, steal a purse, then ride away on a bicycle.
Officers caught up with the suspect approximately a block away and took him into custody without incident.
The suspect, 51-year-old Darren Michael Brodine, was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, Theft in the Second Degree, and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. Brodine is also being held on a parole violation.
Officers returned the stolen property to the owner, who was very grateful as she was flying out of town early Tuesday morning.
The Portland Police Bureau would like to remind community members to keep the interior of their vehicles "showroom" clean. Community members are advised never to leave valuables, including bags, purses, wallets, briefcases, laptops, tablets, cell phones, loose change or anything that may appear valuable to a thief in plain view.
Additional crime prevention tips can be found by visiting the City of Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement Crime Prevention page regarding car prowls, http://www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/article/320547
Additionally, the Portland Police Bureau released a video in 2009 titled "Confessions of a Car Prowler," which can be viewed at http://youtu.be/De5IHBoGz6A