The Clark County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted a “high intensity” stolen vehicle emphasis in a response to what the department said was a dramatic increase in stolen vehicles in the county over the past 12 months.
The emphasis was conducted in partnership with the Clark County Jail and the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
“The focus of the emphasis was to locate and arrest individuals who were in possession of stolen vehicles, recover the vehicles, book the individuals into jail and ensure that they were charged for these crimes,” stated a news release.
The Vancouver Police Department and the Portland Police Bureau also provided some assistance during the course of the emphasis.
At one point during the operation, detectives located a vehicle with multiple occupants in the parking lot of a retail store in Hazel Dell. As detectives watched, one person excited the vehicle and stole a car parked in the next spot, stated the release.
“When sufficient resources were obtained both vehicles were stopped and all of the occupants were detained,” stated the release. “Several arrests were made and the vehicle was returned to its owner within 30 minutes.”
The emphasis also recovered 18 stolen vehicles, resulted in 32 arrests, 46 total news charges, 17 warrants were cleared and one firearm was seized.
“The sheriff’s office recognizes the impact that the dramatic increase in crime has had on the families that live and work here in Clark County,” stated the release. “We will continue to make every effort to hold criminals accountable every day of the year and, when staffing and resources allow, will continue to conduct these kinds of operations with the goal of reducing crime and increasing livability here in Clark County.”
The release stated the emphasis was conducted despite record staffing shortages in the jail and the enforcement branches.
