Stolen Items Found During Homeless Camp Cleanup Returned To Owners

PORTLAND, OR — A steel drum, a saxophone, tattoo equipment, and more than $10,000 worth of LED lighting are among the stolen items that have been reunited with their owners, the Portland Police Bureau said Tuesday. They were giving an update on efforts to return items recovered when a homeless camp was cleaned up Thursday.

The camp, located near the I-405 onramp by N. Kerby Avenue, had been the center of several criminal investigations – including a homicide and several car thefts – by the North Precinct's night shift district officer.

The officer, with the assistance of the precinct's Neighborhood Response Team, cleaned up the camp and recovered many stolen items in the process.

Police said that some of them items were easy to return because the items had unique aspects and/or the owners had placed contact information on the item.

"Getting these items back to the owners is very meaningful for our investigators and the owners because it means they can continue their passion and their livelihood," North Precinct Commander Tina Jones said.

"Many of these cases are impacting small business owners, musicians, and artists who rely upon these items to provide service and bring joy to our community."

Police said that the reunited items include:

• Tattoo machines and artist portfolios stolen during an April burglary.
• A steel drum, saxophone and instrument cases stolen from a U-Haul being driven to Washington from California by its owners who were moving and had stopped in Portland for a break.
• More than $10,000 worth of LED lighting equipment stolen during a burglary n North Portland in early April.

During the clean-up, police said they also found a litter of 3-week-old puppies who are with their owner and are safe and healthy.