3 Burglaries In West Linn Prompt Police Safety Tips

WEST LINN, OR — Officers this weekend responded to three unrelated residential burglaries in West Linn, ultimately apprehending two suspects, according to police spokesman Ofc. Jeff Halverson. A third suspect remains on the loose.

Kevin Heuple, 47, was cited and released after a brief visit to the hospital Dec. 1, Halverson said. Heuple was charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief and criminal trespass for allegedly breaking the window of a home near Clark Street and Oregon City Boulevard, in the Sunset Neighborhood.

A neighbor reportedly heard the sound of glass breaking and saw a man, later identified as Heuple, trying to break into the house next door around 3:30 p.m. After the neighbor called 911, West Linn officers reportedly found Heuple nearby.

Heuple — who was found intoxicated — cut his hand when he broke the glass, Halverson said, requiring a quick trip to the hospital.

The second burglary, which reportedly occurred later Friday night, ended with the arrest of James Daniel O'Neill IV.

O'Neill, 25, was taken to the Clackamas County Jail for felony attempted burglary.

According to Halverson, O'Neill went on a bit of a burglary spree in the area around Cottonwood Court and Hidden Springs Road following a fight with his girlfriend.

After allegedly breaking into roughly five different cars, O'Neill moved on to a house in the Robinwood Neighborhood where he opted to ring the home's doorbell before breaking a downstairs window, Halverson said.

The resident, who was home at the time, reportedly heard the doorbell and asked who was at the door before hearing glass break. Startled, the resident called 911, Halverson said.

With help from a Lake Oswego K9 unit, O'Neill was found and arrested, Halverson said. Alcohol was reportedly also a factor in this incident, though O'Neill's level of intoxication was not noted.

Around 5 a.m. Dec. 3, a couple living in the gated community at Cascade Terrace woke to find a man standing in their bedroom doorway. Halverson said the couple admitted to leaving their front door unlocked before going to bed that night.

The suspect ran after the couple woke up, but they reportedly waited roughly 20 minutes before calling police.

"After an extensive search of the area, officers discovered the female victim's purse several houses away," Halverson said in a statement. "The lapse in time between the occurrence and the 911 call may have been a contributing factor in the suspect avoiding apprehension."

The suspect is described as a male between 20 and 30 years old. The witness reported the suspect was wearing jeans or something similar, a hoody with a light colored jacket over it, and a hat.

Halverson offered a few tips for residents to protect themselves in the event of a burglary situation:

Call 911 immediately

• The police have the skill and resources to catch criminals, but our success is time-sensitive. The faster you call the police, the higher our chances of success.

Lock your house

• Criminals are less likely to come into your house if you restrict access to your property.

Don't leave valuable items in your car

• Vehicles are an easy target for criminals because they are so easy to break in to. Make sure your vehicle is locked.

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