A Portland-area nonprofit, Nonprofit Home Inspections, has suffered a significant loss after thieves broke into their storage unit in West Linn, stealing approximately $75,000 worth of essential equipment. The incidents occurred over two nights, prompting the organization to seek public assistance in identifying the culprits.
Key Takeaways
- Nonprofit Home Inspections was targeted twice in one week.
- Thieves made off with $75,000 worth of equipment, including a ground-penetrating radar system.
- The organization provides affordable home inspections for low-income families.
Incident Overview
The break-ins occurred on a Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. Charles Lewis, the owner of Nonprofit Home Inspections, received an alert just before 10 p.m. indicating movement in the storage unit. Upon checking the security footage, he was shocked to see a masked individual rummaging through their equipment.
Lewis activated the panic alarm, which startled the burglar, who then attempted to cover the camera before fleeing the scene. Despite the quick response from the West Linn Police, the thieves had already escaped by the time officers arrived.
Second Break-In
Unfortunately, the thieves returned around 4:30 a.m. the following morning. This time, Lewis did not receive a notification from his security system, allowing the burglars to steal even more equipment without interruption. In total, the organization estimates that around $75,000 worth of items were taken, including:
- Ground-penetrating radar system (valued at approximately $25,000)
- Sewer scopes
- Radon detector machines
Impact on the Nonprofit
Nonprofit Home Inspections is dedicated to providing affordable home inspections for low-income families, ensuring that everyone has access to safe and healthy living conditions. The loss of such critical equipment poses a significant challenge to their mission. Despite this setback, Lewis remains committed to continuing their services and hopes that the police can identify the suspects through fingerprints left at the scene.
Community Involvement
The organization is urging the community to assist in identifying the thieves. Lewis emphasized that these individuals are likely to strike again if not apprehended. He expressed gratitude for any help from the public in recovering the stolen items and restoring the nonprofit’s ability to serve those in need.
As the investigation continues, the West Linn Police Department is actively working to gather more information and has encouraged anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward. The community’s support will be crucial in helping Nonprofit Home Inspections recover from this unfortunate event and continue their vital work in the area.
Sources
- Thieves caught on camera stealing from Portland-area nonprofit | kgw.com, KGW.
- $75k worth of equipment stolen from nonprofit’s storage unit in West Linn, KPTV.
- $75k worth of equipment stolen from nonprofit’s storage unit in West Linn, KPTV.
