10 Downtown Businesses Vandalized In Hillsboro

HILLSBORO, OR — One person has been arrested in connection with a string of broken windows and damaged property at 10 different businesses in downtown Hillsboro Monday morning. Hillsboro police are still investigating whether all 10 cases of vandalism were perpetrated by the same individual.

Kenneth Gordon Lindsey, 62, was taken to Washington County Jail. He is currently charged with criminal mischief, burglary and theft.

According to Hillsboro Police spokesman Sgt. Eric Bunday, as business owners arrived to open their downtown shops just after 6 a.m. April 23, reports of vandalism started coming into the Hillsboro Police Department.

"I was notified by an employee of a neighboring business early this morning," Primrose & Tumbleweeds owner Dawn Sellers told Patch. "Our fellow downtown business owners and employees make up a great community that really watches out for each other and this is a great example. We are all passionate about providing a safe and welcoming neighborhood business district and I believe we do that everyday."

The reports from business owners were tied as well to Hillsboro officers already patrolling the downtown area in search of whomever broke into the Grocery Outlet at 354 S. First Ave. around 4:30 a.m. — the first reported vandalism.

Officers reportedly located Lindsey behind the 76 Gas Station at 106 S.W. Oak St. just after 7 a.m. Bunday said Lindsey had in his possession at the time of his arrest a case of beer allegedly taken from Grocery Outlet.

Vandalism found at a downtown Allstate Insurance office at 305 S.E. Third Ave., the Gen-X clothing store at 346 S. First Ave. and the office of United Finance at 188 S.E. Fourth Ave., have all been tied to Lindsey, Bunday said; damage found at the other locations, which include US and Columbia banks, Artful Garden, Perks of Art, Allied Chiropractic, and Primrose & Tumbleweeds, is reportedly still under investigation.

"It is so unfortunate that for whatever reason (someone) chose to destroy the property of many businesses whose owners and staff work very hard to make our downtown a great place for so many," Sellers said. "Incidents like these can really set small business owners back because the cost to replace glass is expensive."

Lindsey, listed as a resident of Cornelius, has a record of assault charges in Douglas, Lane, and — most recently — Marion counties, court records show.

Lindsey was reportedly arrested April 11 and charged with assault, theft, and disorderly conduct in Marion County. He was due back in court for his plea hearing on May 15.

Anyone who may have surveillance images from overnight, or who may know more about Monday's vandalism, is encouraged to call Hillsboro police.

This post has been updated from its original version to include more details about the vandalism Monday.

Images via Stacie Loose, Dawn Sellers, Washington County Sheriff's Office