On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at approximately 5:15 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a theft in progress call at the Sylvan Heights Condominium Community in the 7700 block of Southwest Barnes Road. This is in the Sylvan area of unincorporated Washington County.
The initial caller told responding deputies that he heard a car alarm going off, and then saw someone breaking into his neighbor’s car before running away from the area. Other neighbors witnessed the suspect running away as well. He was described as a thin, white male carrying a duffle bag.
While a K9 was deployed to search for the suspect, a Beaverton Police officer assisting the investigation located a man matching the description in the area. He has since been identified as 19-year-old Patrick Kaelen Nickels, of Cornelius.
Nickels was found with several stolen items in his possession, including cartons of baked goods, a Mountain Dew, a glass bong, several candy bars, a bag of chips, various tools, toilet paper, a GPS device, and miscellaneous electronics.
Several other cars were found with their doors and trunks open, with the contents strewn about on the ground. Owners report missing items such as sunglasses, money, tools, and a knife.
Nickels is also accused of knocking over a motorcycle, causing damage after he admitted to sitting on the bike because he “always wanted to ride one.”
Nickels was lodged in the Washington County Jail on two counts of unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, theft in the third degree and a warrant out of Marion County.
Investigators ask anyone living in this area that may have also had items stolen from their vehicles to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 503-629-0111.
This is also a good reminder to keep your cars and trucks locked at all times as all of the vehicles involved in this case were left unlocked.
The Sheriff’s Office suggests adopting a #9PMRoutine
- LOCK UP your car, house, windows, garage, gate, and shed
- TURN ON exterior lights, security camera, and alarm system
- BRING IN valuables from your car, yard, and patio