Once a Target of Catalytic Converter Thieves, an Auto Repair Shop Takes Matters Into Its Own Hands

Catalytic converter theft has tested notably irritating for Oregon firms that continue to keep heaps comprehensive of vehicles. Adam Ofstad would know.

He’s the operator of an car restore store in Scappoose. For the past two a long time, Ofstad has battled intruders who jack up cars and trucks on his great deal to steal the important areas beneath.

These plenty are simple pickings for catalytic converter burglars who supply the stolen contraband allegedly trafficked by the likes of Brennan Doyle and his associates. A number of lower-degree burglars have been indicted alongside Doyle, accused of supplying the stolen contraband that Doyle shipped to East Coast customers.

A person of these names was common to Ofstad: Jessie Hillard. Just before becoming arrested in August by law enforcement in link to Doyle’s catalytic converter theft ring, Hillard experienced snuck onto the lot at Professional Automotive & Diesel in 2021. The steps Ofstad took to capture him are a sign of the irritation Oregonians truly feel with property crimes.

Early in the pandemic, break-ins ended up an nearly nightly prevalence at Pro Automotive. So Ofstad established up a 24-hour surveillance program. He and his employees were being armed. “Many moments it was hand-to-hand overcome with these guys,” he tells WW.

But Ofstad soon identified that Columbia County sheriff’s deputies and Scappoose police weren’t even on connect with some evenings (they blamed their budgets). So Ofstad acquired the cellphone number of the sheriff, Brian Pixley, who promised to devote additional time to be certain deputies responded to thefts at Professional Automotive at all hrs.

Just just after 2 am on April 9, 2021, Ofstad was awakened by a Ring alarm. He drove to his store, and viewed from a length as Hillard strolled as a result of the great deal.

A Scappoose police officer and a sheriff’s deputy shortly arrived to arrest Hillard. When questioned why he was in Ofstad’s lot, Hillard explained he was “taking a piss.” The deputy uncovered a glass pipe and what appeared like meth in Hillard’s pocket, as well as a pair of Sawzall blades. Law enforcement searched his truck and uncovered “jiggle keys,” various saws and a floor jack.

Hillard was charged with tried theft. He pleaded not responsible and posted bail. His trial is established for February.

In the meantime, Beaverton law enforcement say, Hillard was providing stolen catalytic converters to a single of Doyle’s main suppliers, Tanner Hellbusch.

Read through the address story: Inside the criminal offense ring that delivered countless numbers of Oregon’s catalytic converters throughout the place.

Hillard was pulled about this summer soon after promoting a load of stolen components to Hellbusch, police say. They observed saws and ground jacks in the back again of his truck. He was billed with racketeering Aug. 1.

Still, Hillard managed to avoid jail—until he was caught by police Nov. 7 when sneaking into a window of a residence in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood of Southeast Portland.

He was carrying a bogus New York point out identification card that he’d “paid a great deal of dollars for” and was using to “avoid being caught on his warrants,” he told the arresting officer.

This time, he continues to be in custody.

Meanwhile, claims Ofstad, his proactive technique to thefts on his house has borne fruit. More than a dozen folks have been arrested trying to steal from his store, he says.

“The term is out. No one goes and steals cats from Pro any more.”