Title: Two Arrested in Portland-Metro Area Tesla Theft Ring
Subtitle: Stolen vehicle operations lead to the apprehension of alleged car thieves
By Barry Mangold and KATU Staff
Saturday, Oct 7th 2023
PORTLAND, Ore. — A grand jury indictment was handed down on Friday, marking a significant breakthrough in the dismantling of a car theft ring operating in the Portland-metro area. The arrest of a suspected member, Daniel McNett, alongside another accomplice, signifies a major victory for law enforcement agencies combating organized vehicle theft in the region.
Daniel McNett, a 34-year-old resident of Vancouver, Washington, admitted to authorities that he had masterminded the theft of over 150 cars in the Portland-metro area over the past few years, according to police and court documents. On Saturday, McNett was apprehended by Portland police as part of a targeted operation focused on stolen vehicles.
In a pattern observed by law enforcement, McNett was driving a stolen Tesla with its GPS system turned off. Officer Michael Terrett noted that this method was commonly used by the thieves involved in the recent spate of ten Tesla thefts occurring at dealerships in Multnomah and Washington counties, as well as in Vancouver. The criminals expertly disabled the GPS devices in the stolen vehicles, making them almost impossible to track.
As part of their ongoing efforts, police have conducted numerous operations related to stolen vehicles. During these investigations, they have recovered stolen cars, firearms, and uncovered further connections to organized crime syndicates. Information sharing between law enforcement agencies in Multnomah County, Washington County, and Vancouver has significantly improved, leading to a more coordinated response against auto theft.
Officer Terrett expressed optimism about the progress made, stating, “Prior to this collaboration, capturing individuals or recovering stolen vehicles was less successful. But now, with improved cooperation and understanding, we are starting to comprehend the magnitude of these organized auto theft crimes.”
While McNett has been apprehended, charges have yet to be formally filed against his alleged accomplice. However, the Portland police assert that their ongoing operations have had a noticeable impact. Compared to the previous year, there has been a significant decrease in the number of reported stolen vehicles.
Between March and August, the number of stolen car reports has dropped between 24% and 35% compared to the same period in 2022 when Portland experienced a surge in thefts. Although there has been a decrease, the overall number of car thefts in Portland this year has still surpassed figures from years preceding 2022.
According to data from the Portland Police Bureau, between January and August of this year, 5,844 stolen vehicles were reported, down from 7,404 during the same period in 2022. However, this figure is higher than the reported 5,100 cases in the first eight months of 2021 and the 4,037 reports in that period of 2020.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Cody Linderholm suggested that additional charges may soon follow for those involved in organized crime rings, emphasizing their commitment to pursuing justice. Linderholm stated, “We keep indictments. We are coming for people. I think we’re really going to shake things up in the next year.”
As investigations continue, law enforcement agencies remain determined to dismantle the car theft ring entirely, bringing accountability to those involved and ensuring greater safety for the community.