Alert Deputy foils thief’s stolen-van getaway in Mt. Scott-Arleta

A Home Depot rental van was reported stolen on Friday, July 19. But, that afternoon, a sharp-eyed Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Deputy spotted that van traveling in the Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood, on S.E. Harold Street near 77th Avenue.

“The LoJack [electronic tracking system] had alerted, on this vehicle, which was parked halfway out into the street,” the Deputy told THE BEE. “I couldn’t tell if the driver was just dropping off – or else was trying to steal – the late-model travel trailer that was connected to it.

“I called for backup; and when the first East Precinct officer arrived, we approached the van – but the driver ran off,” the deputy continued. “When he ran off, the man left his dog here!”

Other deputies and officers arrived to begin searching for the driver, who eluded them at the time.

The deputy said it was unclear if the van had been stolen from the store, or from a person who had legitimately rented it, or was just not brought back to the store as promised after a rental. But it appears Home Depot will get their van back in relatively good condition.

The owner of, and the disposition of, the large new travel trailer was still unknown as THE BEE went to press. Law enforcement is still looking for the thief, and his dog is likely still trying to figure out just what happened – but is being fostered.