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UPDATE:
Around 8:30 p.m., Thursday, February 24, a Gresham resident reported the stolen moving trailer was parked in front of a detached garage at an apartment complex, located in the 2800 block of NE Rene Avenue. The caller reported seeing a social media post about the theft, which occurred at a Troutdale hotel the night before. He also told dispatchers that he saw a man near the trailer, possibly in the act of unloading items into the garage.
Multnomah County sheriff’s deputies and Gresham Police officers responded and located the stolen trailer, the couple’s belongings and a man believed to be the suspect. Deputies took the suspect, 49-year-old Joseph Damon Patterson, into custody. Inside the garage, deputies located many of the items reported stolen by the couple. Deputies also found the silver SUV used by the suspect during the theft. Patterson was charged with aggravated theft in the first degree and was transported to the Multnomah County Detention Center at 10:25 p.m.
A search warrant was issued to allow deputies to search the suspect’s vehicle. Inside the vehicle, deputies located more stolen items and a handgun (see attached photo). While processing items at the scene Friday morning, deputies learned Patterson was released from jail and was returning to the location to pick up the silver SUV. When Patterson arrived, deputies re-arrested him on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm. Patterson was booked Friday morning at 6 a.m., and remains in custody at the publishing time of this press release.
The criminal justice system is a shared responsibility. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for managing booking criteria and jail operations. All questions pertaining to release should be directed to the Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Later in the morning, the U-Haul truck was located near NE 18th Ct. and NE Kane Dr. in Gresham. The truck contained more of the couple’s belongings.
The couple reported being “thrilled” and said the majority of their belongings were found. They stated they are very appreciative of the public’s care and attention to their case.
We want to thank the public for their vigilance and the media for bringing attention to this crime. We also want to acknowledge the Gresham Police Department for their assistance.
The investigation continues at this time, and additional charges may be filed.
ORIGINAL RELEASE POSTED ON FEB. 24, 2022:
A couple moving from Arizona to Portland, Oregon, had their fully-loaded moving truck stolen from a Troutdale hotel parking lot overnight while they were asleep. The U-Haul truck and trailer contained nearly everything they owned.
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies responded to the theft report at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, February 24th. The couple was staying at a hotel in the 1000 block of NW Graham Road. The couple reported that they parked the U-Haul moving truck and trailer adjacent to their hotel room. Around 1 a.m., they found the moving truck and trailer to be gone.
Deputies reviewed the hotel’s security camera footage. Video shows a silver SUV with two people enter the hotel parking lot around 11 p.m. One person is seen breaking into the truck, starting it and driving away with the trailer. The suspect car followed behind.
Deputies are asking for the public’s help in locating the truck and trailer and any items that were stolen. Such items include: furniture, clothes, valuables, sporting equipment and sentimental items, such as family photos, personal artwork and a handmade wool-braided rug, among many other items.
The couple states their “entire life" is in the truck and trailer, and that this is a “devastating loss.”
The truck is described as a U-Haul brand, 20-foot truck, with a unique image of a hawk and a map of the Tongass National Forest with the title, Alaska, printed on the side (photo attached). The trailer is standard in size, 6 feet by 12 feet, with orange and black graphics.
- Truck: Arizona license plate, AJ29091
- Trailer: Indiana license plate: TR-916KMS
Anyone who has information about this crime, may have witnessed the theft or locates the stolen truck and/or trailer is urged to call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333, and refer to Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office report number: 22-8219. If the truck is occupied, call 911.
The couple is willing to be interviewed by media members. Please contact MCSO’s public information officer by sending an email to pio@mcso.us.
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