Detectives Recover Stolen Tools, Enter Rabbit Hole Of Crimes

BEAVERTON, OR — A Portland man appears to be implicated in several thefts spanning the Washington County area and possibly beyond, according to multiple law enforcement agencies.

Raymond Anthony Chavez, 30, was cited Thursday for first degree theft and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle for allegedly breaking into a man's truck in the West Slope area and stealing roughly $1,000 worth of tools sometime over the past weekend.

The West Slope man reported his tools stolen just after 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, though police believe the tools were stolen sometime well before that primarily because their suspect, Chavez, was already in the Washington County Jail at the time the report was made, having been arrested in Beaverton just after 9 a.m. that same morning for a completely separate and unrelated crime.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Based on court documents and interviews with two law enforcement agencies, the timeline goes something like this:

Just after 9 a.m. Nov. 12, an alert Beaverton officer spotted a Jeep with "suspicious looking occupants" in the 3800-block of Southwest 102nd Avenue in Beaverton, according to Beaverton police spokesman Mike Rowe. After running the Jeep's license plate the officer learned it had been reported stolen, Rowe said.

As Chavez and Rico reportedly exited the Jeep, Chavez — seeing the officer — tried to run but was quickly apprehended and taken into custody. Also arrested at that time was Chavez's associate, 39-year-old Mandi Lea Rico, the other person in the stolen Jeep, Rowe said.

(Both Chavez and Rico have long histories of criminal convictions in Oregon.)

At the time of his arrest, Chavez reportedly had in his possession three "shaved" keys, which Rowe said are commonly used to steal cars. Chavez also reportedly admitted to driving the stolen Jeep. He was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle and taken to the Washington County Jail around 3:45 p.m. Rico was arrested after police learned both individuals also had warrants for two crimes allegedly committed June 15.

The Plot Thickens

According to court documents written by Washington County Detective Mark Povolny, Rico and Chavez together entered the Plaid Pantry at 9917 S.W. Canyon Rd. in Beaverton on June 15. While in the store, Chavez reportedly spoke with the clerk at the counter while Rico perused the medicine isle, picking up either Visine or Afrin — both of which are commonly used for allergies.

After picking up the item Rico returned to Chavez, who had left the counter and stepped over to the store's ATM, Povolny wrote. While standing by Chavez, Rico was reportedly recorded on surveillance video putting the item into her bag. At some point during this encounter, Chavez allegedly used a stolen credit card to withdraw more than $100. Both Chavez and Rico left the Plaid Pantry shortly afterward, Povolny said.

Warrants were later issued for their arrest after officers were unable to make contact with either of them at their home, which is next door to the Plaid Pantry at the Vista Hill Apartments. Chavez was wanted for identity theft, second degree theft, and fraudulent use of a credit card; Rico was wanted on a charge of third degree theft for allegedly stealing an item valued at less than $10.

And Here's The Rest of the Story…

Following their arrests Nov. 12, both Chavez and Rico were released from the Washington County Jail by 10:30 p.m., Washington County Sheriff's spokesman Jeff Talbot said.

While they were in police custody, a man living in the 8800-block of Southwest Cashmur Lane in the West Slope area called the Washington County Sheriff's Office to report his vehicle had been broken into sometime over the weekend, and that tools valued at more than $1,000 were stolen. The man was able to provide deputies with a detailed list of the stolen tools, adding that his initials were marked on some of them, Talbot said.

This week the West Slope man was able to locate one of his stolen tools on OfferUp, an online sales app that's like a cross between craigslist and Pinterest. After coordinating with the sheriff's office, detectives from the Property Crimes Unit arranged to meet and purchase the items from the seller — who ended up being Chavez, Talbot said.

"Chavez likely broke into the vehicle and stole the items in the days prior to his other arrest," he said, noting the West Slope man's truck had been unused during most the weekend.

Along with the stolen tools, detectives recovered a large quantity of other stolen goods they believe are also connected to Chavez.

"The Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to save receipts, (and) photograph and document serial numbers of valuables, so if they are ever reported missing or stolen, the likelihood of them being recovered will be greatly increased," Talbot said.

Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office