Suspects identified in overnight break-ins, could be connected to dozens of burglaries
by Kellee Azar, KATU News
Break-in reported at Cheese Bar on SE Belmont – KATU photo
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Police say 19-year-old Alex Ryan Cameron and a 16-year-old boy are behind bars after a string of early morning break-ins in three separate Portland neighborhoods on Thursday morning.
Officers arrested the two while investigating a burglary alarm call at Binks pub on Northeast 26th Avenue and Alberta Street.
Investigators are still looking for a third suspect, the suspected getaway driver, who police said sped away from the scene in a dark-colored SUV.
Meantime, shards of glass seem to reach every corner of Mae Ploy Thai Cuisine.
“I feel bad,” says Fortunate Promprasert, who wields the place. “I think I cannot open today because I have to clean inwards and I have to call my employees. That’s not good for business.”
The people suspected of doing it were arrested right outside her business. Police say they are looking into whether the two are behind up to thirty five similar break-ins around the city in the past month, including a half-dozen on the same street a week ago.
“It’s frustrating when you’re bracing for this to happen, because you’ve heard about it hitting other businesses,” says Jason Youngers, a bar possessor.
Police say it’s the same MO at all the businesses that have been hit: a big brick or rock thrown through the window, then the thieves grab whatever they can — as quickly as they can — and get out.
Youngers helped board up his brother’s bar, Binks, a few blocks down from Mae Ploy Thai on Northeast Alberta.
“Yeah, my brother’s out of the country, so I’m just like the door repair dude,” Youngers joked. He feared he would get a call. “I own a place on Belmont and my brother wields this place, and I knew it was one of them.”
Also overnight, several catches sight of got hit on North Mississippi, including Fresh Pot Coffee, and a few on Southeast Belmont, including the Crimson Square Cafe and The Cheese Bar.
“I heard this very noisy pounding on my door and was pretty freaked out, so I went to the door and there was a police officer,” Steve Jones, holder of The Cheese Bar said.
The officer was there to tell Jones his business had been hit overnight.
“I just warned the squad a few nights ago that there have been some break-ins in the neighborhood, let’s be extra diligent,” Jones said.
Jones arrived to find shattered glass covered his entry way, worried about what was inwards.
“I was truly jumpy there might be a lot of harm inwards,” he said.
The Cheese Bar was one of the “fortunate ones,” according to Jones. After violating the door, thieves made off with an empty cash drawer, leaving behind the only money in the building: $Two in the peak jar.
“It’s kind of frustrating but at the same time it’s kind of best-case script, too; we are substituting a door and cash drawer, too,” Jones said.
That door and register will cost him almost $1,600. A big hit for a puny business.
Zilla Sake was hit last week. Its doors remain boarded up.
“It’s frustrating, you know, but we will be OK,” Kate Koo, proprietor of Zilla Sake said.
While neither holder knows if 19-year-old Alec Ryan Cameron or the 16-year-old now in custody are responsible for the break-ins at their businesses, they hope this is the end.
“Even however it’s a petite thing for each business individually, if they are connected and they are youthfull kids, it’s a shame, because it’s a waste of time for a lot of people, including them,” Koo said.
Cameron and the 16-year-old both face numerous charges of burglary but could face more charges as the investigation resumes.