Almost Ripped Off at Clackamette Park

[SKP]

I thought I would share an incident that happened yesterday afternoon, so you can prevent a possible theft.

I went fishing at Clackamette Park yesterday afternoon until dusk. I noticed as we were pulling in, a white beat up older van near the gate, just sitting there. We park near the water, and start fishing about 40 feet away from the car down the bank.

About 15 minutes later, the van pulls up opposite our car about 40 feet from our car, and a woman gets out. She's the type of woman you would see holding a "Will work for food" sign. Her first question to us was, "Do you have a cell phone". HMMMM, weird question for the first conversation. Now our heads are turned toward her, and away from our car. I said there is a pay phone at McDonald's just up the street. She said she just drove from the coast, and is on fumes, and needs help with gas to get back home. I proceed to fish and ignore her, because what idiot would drive from the coast without gas or money. She's a con, she's not out of luck.

Well, as she sees we are not going to help, she disappears, but not in the van. I looked back at the car, which was unlocked, and the driver's side door is wide open. I think while she was diverting our attention toward her, an accomplice was going through the car, that fast.

I never keep anything in the car, so they got nothing. I did not call the police, as I did not see who was in the car, and nothing was stolen.

With springers coming, and increased people fishing the Willamette, I wanted to post this to ifishers to be alert to this type of activity, and please don't leave anything in the car, and lock your doors. I usually lock my doors, but didn't this time, after all, we were within plain view of the car, so I didn't think of the need to lock it. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

I think these idiots will try this again at Clackamette Park or other areas.

I should have at least wrote down the license number, but didn't.

And we didn't hook any fish or see any fish hooked by the bankies or boaters. It's still too early folks.

SKP

[ 02-24-2004, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: SKP ]

[West Linn Wader]

SKP,

Thx for the heads up. I'm sure more than a few of us will be in that area over the next few months. Even though you were lucky (and smart) enough to not have anything taken, I would call the fuzz anyway just so they know to be on the lookout for that van. Chances are they will continue to do this until they are caught.

GS/WLW

[Corkie Monster]

Thanks for the warning. I will be spending some quality time down there too this spring. I wish there was some way you can put an electric charge on your vehical in place of an alarm.

Thanks
CM

[jokester]

Thanks for the heads up SKP! Stuff like this really rubs me raw!! [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

-jokester

[hookumhi]

thanks for the insight,I have also heard of people ripping off trailers if you dont lock them to the truck!

[Bill Monroe]

I'll mention it Thursday in the paper.

[River Ranger]

way to go Bill [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] .
R.R.

[Twitchs_Tackle]

THanks for the heads up... hope somebody catches these scum bags...

Maybe you should get one of those Trunk Monkeys from the super bowl commercials! :grin: (I like the electric charge idea too)

[ 02-24-2004, 11:54 AM: Message edited by: Twitchs_Tackle ]

[Abalone]

I totally agree with reporting. I must have talked to at least Four people in the last month that have had encounters with thieves including one possible assault and I am amazed that none of these people bothered to call it in. That aint gonna help is it.

Any CC Sherrif Deputies on IFISH that would like to give some input ?
How many of these cases a month do you suppose.
Clackamas County seems to be really bad lately.

[Bait Bucket]

For what it's worth, there was a van parked near the river yesterday morning around 10:00 when I was walking my dog there. I didn't see anyone fishing near it. There were a couple fishermen on the lower end of the park but nowhere near the van.

[Abalone]

To what extent I wonder are you able to defend your property. If you are alone and approach some one or more persons rifleling through your car is it recommended that you confront them or what ?

If you confront them and they become aggresive then what ?

What does the law say ?

I know someone that had this happen very recently.

Of course you have the right to defend yourself but how would a jury look at someone that was foolish enough to confront two men. Whould that show bad judgement ? Didn't try to avoid a dangerous situation ?


I wonder about this all the time.

[Brown dogs]

Good thing you didn't lose anything. Seems this has been a big problem up and down the Clack. All suspicious activity should be reported no matter how small.
I would love to set my car up with a "James Bond" car alarm: Jiggle car door...BOOM!! :smile:

-Scott P

[yarndog2003]

My Brother-in-Law was down there with his 6 year old twin boys fishing and came back to find his new 2004 Mitsubishi Diamonte was gone. When the cops found the car it was totaly striped. I guess the the seats in the Diamonte are candy to the little cars the teens rebuild these days.

[Woody]

To what extent I wonder are you able to defend your property.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I've often wondered that myself. Back in the day, if I caught somebody red-handed, I would have just bloodied them up and left them in a heap and asked questions later. Now that I'm older and wiser (and fatter and slower) thats prolly not such a good idea.

[Ryan Pultz]

Well Sunday Smiley and I drifted the clack from carver to riverside and when we got back to the shuttle vehicle there was a white truck in the parking lot with a trailer and you know they were out in the sled well the stupid part was there was a rifle right in the back window waiting for someone to smash the window grab the rifle. I think people that would leave a rifle in a truck wile out on the river right out in blatant view do not deserve the right to own a Gun

[chinookin]

My new brother-in-law is a cc sheriff, does a lot of search and rescue, and a true outdoorsman. I will email him, he'll probably step up the drive thru's. Better yet I will offer to take him fishing in his truck, then if anything happens you can be sure of stepped up enforcement. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

[Sublime]

all good questions, Abalone

[SPAZZ]

Thank god nothing was missing. You are lucky

[24 on/ 48 off]

Thanks Bill.

--spud-- :smile:

[Abalone]

This morning on the news they interviewed one of these guys that got caught breaking in to cars and was let go. He was flaunting about how easy it is to sell stolen property at pawn shops and other places.

My Dad was a cop and he used to say that anyone that buys stolen property is just as bad as the
thief. Without someone to buy the junk the Thief would have no incentive to steal.

You tend to think: The economy is causing it but Statistically the crime is largely Drug related.

[Just A Little Chrome]

These must all be reported! The police will provide special patrols when they can and nothing scares off the scum like a black and white. If they don't know about it they can't help and that's what we are all paying for.

You don't have to file a full report just make an information only call.

[judyfish99]

There is a white older van parked in front of Labor Ready behind Buddies Sports Bar on Mcloughlin? Could they be your culprits? I live in the apartment complex right behind it and some of our cars had break-ins. I had a truck/camper that had several attempted break ins. Got tired of missing batteries, torn screens and someone took a hammer to the tailgate where the padlock was. Moved the whole darn tootin thing out to Canby. There is a lot of tweekers around, so don't leave anything in your cars or trucks. I sure the CC will catch them. Thank you, Bill, for putting that info in the paper.

[SalmonSeason]

As a message to all no matter where you live or recreate. Please call the appropriate law enforcement agency (non emergency #) unless it's appropriate to dial 911

Call and request Extra Patrol or report your car being entered illegally. It is a crime in Oregon to enter a motor vehicle unlawfully. Even if they did not steal from it. Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle

Be Safe and Good Fishing

[Walleyed]

a call dose help! I live in milwaukie and in a matter of a few weeks I had a boat motor,lawn mower stolen and someone tryed to get in my back door.I called every time and one day getting a early start to sand lake I was pushing my 4wheeller up the side of my house in the dark and cops came from every where.Never was so happy to be busted. haven't had a problem in 3 years.

[3riversBob]

Bill Monroe mentioned this in an article in the Oregonian yesterday. (Thursday) Thanks Bill!

[HANDLINER]

THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP. I'LL BE WATCHING CLOSER NOW.I'LL DO MY BEST TO CALL THE COPS ALSO!! IF WE DON'T THEY WIN. I WANT THEM TO LOSE !!

[SKP]

Can you view this article online? I missed it.

SKP

[KingFisher85]

Where is the article at in the paper?

[bob'r down]

The article is in the Thusday Orgonian sports page in Bill Monroe's normal Thursday article (with the fishing forcast, ect.)

Bob

[Abalone]

Heay Bill:
Someone stole my newspaper out of the Mailbox yesterday, how about printing a copy of your article on Ifish Please ?

Dang Thieves !

[T-Jet]

SKP..........3-4 ounces of lead, a strategic cast, and whamo! Thief ON! What do ya think?

[SKP]

Bill Monroe,

Do you have the web address of this article?

SKP