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A man who helped lead a ring of thieves, who preyed on hard working small business owners, pled guilty today to 30 felony criminal charges related to those crimes.
Joshua Patrick Lucero, 33 years old, stole cars, stole property, and burglarized multiple Portland businesses.
The ring is accused of targeting as many as 100 Portland area businesses in all.
Multnomah County Judge David Rees sentenced Lucero to 9 years in prison as part of a plea deal that resolved all of Lucero’s outstanding cases in Multnomah County.
Lucero is currently serving a 35-month sentence for similar crimes committed in Washington County.
In Multnomah County, Lucero pled guilty to 6 counts of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (auto theft); 1 count of Burglary in the Second Degree; and 23 counts of Burglary in the First Degree.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Alexander Garcia and Deputy District Attorney Elena Langer prosecuted the case for the state.
“I hope that business owners see this as a first step toward restoring accountability in Portland and the greater Portland metropolitan area. Property crime affects us all. Business owners. Patrons. And the larger community. Mr. Lucero’s actions are unacceptable and similar conduct - committed by others - will not be tolerated.” said DDA Garcia.
We would like to recognize the work and compassionate care of MCDA Victim Advocates Karla Juarez and Emma Kane for their help on the case.
Also Portland Police Bureau Acting Detective Consider Vosu, Portland Police Bureau Officer Elliott Walker, and MCDA Investigator Gabriella Snedecor played pivotal roles in the investigation of these cases.
Source: Multnomah County District Attorney