Bend ‘porch pirate’ suspect caught on camera, arrested

Amid a recent focus nationwide on “porch pirates” stealing delivered Christmas packages, a Bend resident’s front-door security camera caught one in the act Friday – and that led to a Bend man’s arrest Sunday in that case and at least one other porch package theft the same day, police said.

An officer responded around 4:30 p.m. Friday to a report of package thefts from a home in the 20000 block of Fairway Drive, Cpl. Kyle Voll said.

The homeowner said a stranger was seen on his Nest security system’s video driving up and going to the front porch of their home and knocking on the door – and after there was no answer, stealing the packages of Christmas presents for the family that were delivered earlier in the day, about $200 worth, Voll said.

The officer reviewed a copy of the surveillance video provided by the homeowner and was able to identify the suspect vehicle, a 2004 Kia Optima – and through the license plate identified Steven Edward Stout, 39, of Bend as the suspect.

Another officer on patrol Sunday spotted Stout and the car and stopped it in the 2400 block of Northeast Twin Knolls Drive, Voll said.

A search of the car turned up the previously reported stolen property, as well other items that they later learned were stolen the same day in a package theft from a home in the 300 block of Southwest McKinley Avenue, Voll said.

Voll said officers also found heroin and methamphetamine on Stout’s person, and he admitted to ingesting drugs before being stopped by officers. Bend Fire Department medics took Stout to St. Charles Bend, where he was cited and released on felony charges of first-degree theft and possession of heroin and meth.

Officers contacted the Fairway Drive victim and returned their property, then were able to find the second theft victim, who had used the Bend police online reporting system. The McKinley Avenue resident reported that more than $1,500 worth of snowboarding gear, Christmas gifts to family members, had been delivered but stolen off their porch within minutes of delivery. Police also were able to return those gifts in time for Christmas, Voll said.

More possibly stolen items also were recovered from the car, Voll said, so the investigation is continuing and more victims may be identified. Residents who have experienced a similar recent theft of packages are asked to call Bend police through the non-emergency dispatch number, 541-693-6911.

Stout was in the news three years ago, when he was one of six Bend and Redmond residents arrested after a November 2015 traffic stop turned up drugs and led to a raid on a Redmond motel room and the seizure of more drugs and weapons.

Stout was arrested on a parole violation and also charged with giving false information to an officer and felon in possession of a restricted weapon.

Court records show he had pleaded guilty the prior month to ID theft, second-degree theft and meth possession and was sentenced to two years probation. His sentence was amended in January 2016 to two years in prison due to the probation violation.

He also was arrested on four felony cases in 2014, including charges of burglary, theft, computer crime, criminal mischief and meth possession.