NW Crossing neighbors ‘on alert’ after weekend thefts

Thieves mostly taking advantage of unlocked garage and pet doors entered at least eight parked vehicles in Bend’s NorthWest Crossing neighborhood over the weekend and took items from several of them, including a gun, police said Saturday.

Five different residents were hit during the crime spree. In a usually safe neighborhood, some residents said Monday they feel less safe.

“It’s put us more on alert,” said Scott Magness, a 14-year resident of the area. “We’ve tighten up security, at least for ourselves.”

The thefts and burglaries occurred between 7 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. Saturday, said Sgt. Todd Fletcher. Fletcher said the crimes took place at homes on Northwest Shields Drive, High Lakes Loop, Clearwater Drive, William Clark Street, Fort Clatsop Street and Lemhi Pass Drive.

“We’re collecting evidence and looking into the different cases, and they’re definitely connected, meaning we think that the same person or persons did all of them,” police spokesman Lt. Nick Parker said Monday.

In several cases, garage doors and pet doors were left unlocked, giving the suspects access to garages. Items were stolen from the garages, as well as cars parked inside them, Fletcher said. They also took property from cars parked outside, including a firearm left in an unlocked vehicle, he added.

“Access to the garages were generally through unlocked garage ‘man doors’ or even pet doors that are often unsecured,” Parker said. “In the last year, we’ve had 700 car break-ins in the city of Bend. We definitely encourage people to take anything of value out of the car, especially firearms.”

So far, police have found that only one of the victims’ vehicles was locked – and in that case, a large rock was used to break a side window, Fletcher said. A backpack left in plain view was taken from that vehicle.

The cases serve as a reminder to “lock all vehicles and remove valuables or secure them out of sight,” the sergeant said in a news release.

Now residents in the area plan to step up their security.

“We’re trying to be extra-careful, communicate with our neighbors,” said Peter Grube, an 11-year resident of the area. “And looking out for each other — if people forget their garage door is open, either call or knock. I mean, after 11 years it’s been a very secure neighborhood.”

With the investigation continuing, police believe more victims may be identified. Anyone with information that could help solve the crimes is asked to contact Bend police at 541-693-6911.