Bend man accused of selling stolen items at ‘garage sales’

Police said Tuesday they have arrested a 29-year-old Bend man who they have tied to at least 32 recent thefts from cars around town, after he tried to return some items to a retailer and sold others during garage sales at his southeast Bend storage unit.

An officer took reports on Saturday, April 4 th of several illegally entered vehicles by someone who took several pieces property and left before police arrived, said Lt. Clint Burleigh.

Later that day, employees at American Eagle Outfitters on Powerhouse Drive in the Old Mill District called police to report a man was trying to return items similar in nature to property taken in earlier thefts, Burleigh said.

Officers were able to determine the items were those taken from the cars, and a subsequent investigation recovered more items tied to at least 32 recent thefts around the city.

Police are withholding the suspect’s name and not releasing more specifics about what kind of items were stolen and recovered, as well as where or when they were taken, due to the ongoing investigation.

However, he said, the man kept most of the stolen items at a storage unit at Clark’s Storage on Southeast Ninth Street.

The suspect held numerous “garage sales” in front of his storage unit between January and April of this year. However, Burleigh said it’s not believed those who bought items from him knew they were stolen.

The storage business also had no knowledge that stolen goods were being kept or sold out of their establishment, Burleigh said, adding that employees “have been very helpful during this investigation.”

Bend police encouraged those who might have bought items at one of the garage sales to contact them at 541-693-6911 or 541-322-2960. “Please be specific about the type of item purchased,” Burleigh added.