Burglary Suspect Uses Fingers To Fake A Gun

Shortly after Noon on Monday, deputies from the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and Happy Valley Police Department responded to a home robbery on the 12400 block of SE Verlie St. in Happy Valley. 

The suspect fled the scene after a confrontation with the homeowner and was quickly captured in the lobby of a nearby dentist's office.

The homeowner had entered his residence and found the suspect -- later identified as 30-year-old Michael Belden -- standing inside the house.

The homeowner described the suspect as a white male in his 20s, wearing a tan and red baseball cap, a tan, and red jacket and jeans. The suspect reportedly threatened to shoot the homeowner while fleeing the scene; according to police reports, deputies later determined Belden "made it look like he had a gun by sticking his hand under his jacket to scare the homeowner and get away."

Deputies worked to contain the area and launched a search with Deputy McCafferty and K9 Urban. A passersby reportedly pointed the K9 team in the direction they'd seen the suspect run.

At about 12:46 p.m., dispatch broadcast that a white male matching the suspect description was seen pacing around the area of Goddard School at 14210 SE Sunnyside Rd.

Deputies responded to the location. When the suspect saw the deputies exit their patrol cars, he entered a nearby dental office and stood in the lobby.

Deputies followed the suspect inside. They asked him what he was doing. The suspect said he was calling a buddy to come pick him up. Deputies asked where his phone was. The suspect reportedly replied that it was in "Buddy's car."

Deputies photographed Michael Belden, then texted the photo to a deputy still with the homeowner. The homeowner identified Belden as the suspect.

Belden was taken into custody and deputies found a number of stolen items stashed near Goddard School.

While deputies returned the stolen items, Belden admitted to being in the house and stealing the recovered items. He reportedly told deputies to tell the homeowner he was sorry.

Mr. Belden's booking photo and photos of the stash of recovered stolen loot are attached. He is currently being held in Clackamas County Jail on charges of Burglary I and Robbery II, and his bail is set at $290,000. 

Photo below: K9 Urban


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