The highlight was the arrest of Daniel S. McNett, 34, of Vancouver, in a stolen Tesla, and the later capture of Todd A. Mouton, 32, of Vancouver, in a stolen Dodge Challenger
The Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct, assisted by other PPB Units and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office (MCDA), made numerous arrests and recovered stolen vehicles this month, marking at least six months of steadily decreasing car theft rates in Portland. The Stolen Vehicle Operation (SVO) also led to arrests made in a ring of thieves who were stealing Tesla vehicles from service centers.
On the afternoon and evening Saturday (Sept. 30), East Precinct engaged in another of its regular, ongoing stolen vehicle operations, utilizing data-driven policing strategies. Officers again yielded a low ratio of better than one stolen vehicle located out of every two traffic stops. During the mission, which focused on the east Portland metropolitan area, officers located 13 stolen vehicles out of 21 stops made. There were 11 arrests (which included 11 warrants served), two stolen guns recovered, and 14 vehicles towed. Two drivers attempted to elude police.
One stop at Southeast 122nd Avenue and Southeast Holgate Boulevard resulted in three arrests, recovery of a stolen vehicle, two stolen firearms, and a significant amount of suspected methamphetamine. The occupants of the vehicle were also convicted felons (case number 23-257002).
Crowdsourced Facebook group “PDX Stolen Cars” assisted the operation and provided good information for an occupied stolen vehicle and multiple unoccupied stolen vehicles. PPB’s Air Support Unit, K9 Unit, and the MCDA were all involved in the operation.
Tesla theft ring broken
The highlight of the night was the arrest of Daniel S. McNett, 34, of Vancouver, in a stolen Tesla, and the later capture of Todd A. Mouton, 32, of Vancouver, in a stolen Dodge Challenger. Mouton eluded SVO officers in the stolen Challenger into Vancouver. He was followed by PPB Air Support Unit, which saw him jump from the vehicle and run into a residence. Mouton was later taken into custody by Vancouver Police Department tactical operations.
These captures led to the recovery of five more stolen Tesla vehicles. Both are considered suspects in a multi-jurisdiction Tesla theft ring spanning Vancouver, Washington, Washington County, Oregon, and Multnomah County, Oregon. The Tesla vehicles were taken from Tesla service centers and vehicle GPS antennas were disabled to prevent tracking. It is believed 10 Tesla vehicles were stolen in total. Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Cody Linderholm was on-scene during the operation and is working with Tesla to help prosecute the cases. Full charges are pending. PPB is grateful to Vancouver Police Department and our other law enforcement partners for their assistance (case number 23-257161).
Impressive decrease in stolen vehicles
Over the last six months, our program has consistently delivered outstanding results in reducing vehicle theft rates. In March 2022, there were 1040 vehicles reported stolen to PPB. In March 2023 it was 747, a 28.2% decrease year over year. That trend has continued throughout the spring and summer:
• April: 24.4% decrease compared to the previous year (892 to 674)
• May: 23.7% decrease compared to the previous year (849 to 648)
• June: 26.7% decrease compared to the previous year (829 to 607)
• July: 29.7% decrease compared to the previous year (862 to 606)
• August: 35.3% decrease compared to the previous year (939 to 608)
And, since January of 2023, stolen vehicle reports have trended steadily downward more than 38% through August. While conclusions about crime rates can only be drawn after a long-term trend, the trajectory is encouraging. We know that car thefts are extremely impactful for victims, especially those who rely on their vehicles for their livelihoods. Reducing theft rates mean fewer victims. And we believe since stolen vehicles are often used by suspects in other crimes including robberies and shootings, interdicting those driving stolen cars can prevent other crimes.
As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and empowering our community with public safety information, PPB puts stolen vehicle statistics on our website Open Data Portal. Community members can access information about theft rates, types of vehicles being stolen most often, and neighborhood-specific statistics: https://www.portland.gov/police/open-data/stolen-vehicle-statistics
For more on East Precinct’s innovative use of data to make fewer stops, resulting in better outcomes, visit: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=462764
Information provided by Portland Police Bureau.
Also read:
- POLL: How would you rate the accessibility of Vancouver city officials for addressing community concerns?How accessible are Vancouver city officials to community concerns?
- Budget leader says funding for programs and services is safe, concern is demand for billions in new spendingSen. Lynda Wilson highlights safe funding for services despite looming demands for billions in new spending.
- After evading repeal, will Washington expand its capital gains tax to lower incomes?One member of a prominent Washington think tank suspects lawmakers are considering modifying the capital gains tax to generate more revenue for state coffers Brett DavisThe Center Square Washington A general income tax in Washington state appears to be off the table for now, even as voters retained the state’s capital gains tax by failing …
- Opinion: New audit offers another reason lawmakers should leave the state’s paid-leave program behindElizabeth New (Hovde) critiques Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program, highlighting audit findings of double-dipping and program inefficiencies.
- Opinion: WA turns redder, despite faulty media reports that said otherwiseWAGOP highlights gains in Washington’s November 2024 election, challenging claims the state turned “bluer.”
- Vancouver City Council to host community forum on Nov. 25Vancouver City Council invites community members to share questions and ideas at a public forum on Nov. 25 at Evergreen Public Schools.
- Vancouver Public Schools to run Technology, Safety, and Capital Projects Levy on February ballotVancouver Public Schools Board approves a Technology, Safety, and Capital Projects Levy for the February 2025 ballot to support long-term needs.