Police Arrest Portland Man After Crime Spree in Lake Oswego

LAKE OSWEGO – On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 3:41 a.m., Lake Oswego police officers were dispatched to a burglary in progress in the 700 block of 4th Street. It was reported that a male adult with a dark hat and a colorful jacket with bright colors had just tried to get into someone’s garage.

Officers arrived in the area and saw a man matching the description provided by the victim in the alley behind the residence. They tried to talk to the man, but he immediately fled. Other officers who had arrived in the area saw the man drop a cream-colored tote bag as he continued to run. They lost sight of him, so they set up containment and requested additional assistance and a K-9 officer. A West Linn police officer and a K-9 officer from Hillsboro responded to assist.

While searching the neighborhood, officers saw someone in a nearby garage. They determined it was the subject who ran from them. When the subject was located, he was trying to steal a Smart car from the garage but was unable to start it. Using the K-9, the officers were able to get the suspect to surrender without incident.

The suspect, 47-year-old Charles F. Thomas of Portland, told investigators he came to Lake Oswego because he believed that Lake Oswego citizens don’t lock their cars and have nice things in them. He admitted to breaking into 15-20 cars, 2 garages, and 1 house during his crime spree, and acknowledged he was under the influence of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Mr. Thomas was later lodged at the Clackamas County Jail for 3 counts of Burglary 1, 1 count of Burglary 2, 2 counts of Unlawful Entry to a Motor Vehicle, 1 count of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, and 4 counts of Theft 3.

This was great teamwork by all and is an excellent reminder never to leave items of value in your vehicle and to always make sure they are locked.

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