Teen Helps Mom Steal and then Turns Her In

A 13-year-old girl who helped her mother steal and then turned her in received a new bicycle from one of her mother's victims.

Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office met with the 13-year-old at her home in Cedar Hills about a bicycle she had received from her mother. The bicycle, as it turned out, had been stolen from a house in Aloha.

The teen told deputies her mother, Lara Kent, and her mother's friend, Jack Harman, had been stealing items from around the metro area. The teen said her mom even had her steal from apartment complexes and donation drop-off locations.

Deputies determined Kent and Harman had been storing stuff in a U-Haul in Tualatin and a storage unit in Aloha.

When they searched the U-Haul, deputies recovered 10 stolen bicycles and other stolen items including a mechanized scooter belonging to Cheryl Evans of Portland.

They then raided the Aloha facility and found more stolen merchandise.

On Monday, they arrested Evans and Hartman. In their van they found more than 70 items, including jewelry, checks, mail, license plates and retail clothing. All items are believed to be stolen property, according to the sheriff's office.

When Evans got her scooter back, deputies told her how they recovered it — including the fact that a 13-year-old who had received a stolen bike gave up the bike and her mother.

Evans told the deputies she wanted to buy bicycles for the teenager and her younger brother.

On Thursday, deputies and Evans took the kids — they live with their grandmother who has custody — bicycle shopping. Evans, with her own money and some donated by her friends, bought them bicycles and locks.

Meanwhile, Kent is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, three counts of theft in the second degree, and two counts of criminal mischief in the second degree. Harman is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and three counts of theft in the second degree.

The sheriff's office says the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are likely.

Mugshots of Kent and Harmon courtesy Washington County Sheriff's Office