CEDAR HILLS, Ore. (KOIN) — A Portland woman whose electric scooter was stolen got it back and then bought a new bike for the teenage daughter of the woman who allegedly stole it.
Cheryl Evans’ scooter was found when Washington County deputies and detectives searched a U-Haul in Tualatin. Authorities said they also found 10 bikes and other stolen property.
The investigation began October 1 when a Cedar Hills resident called deputies about a suspicious bike.
They interviewed a 13-year-old girl, who cooperated with the investigators.
Her mother, Lara Kent, and Jack Harman Jr. became suspects over items being stolen in the metro area from apartments and drop-off spots.
One of those items was Evans’ electric scooter. The teen told deputies her mother gave her one of the stolen bikes to use.
As the investigation continued, authorities learned Kent and Harman were storing the stolen items in a U-Haul and at an Aloha storage unit.
“From what we’ve learned, the 2 suspects were getting evicted from the Portland area and they had rented a U-Haul truck,” Washington County deputy Tyler Whitely told KOIN 6 News. They then used the truck to steal items from the Beaverton-Aloha-Portland area “and were storing those items inside the U-Haul truck.”
On October 2, deputies found more stolen items at the storage unit, and the next day found Kent and Harman. Deputies said more than 70 stolen items — jewelry, checks, mail, clothes — were found in their vehicle.
When the 37-year-old scooter owner heard the details, deputies said she told them she wanted to buy a bike for the teen since she didn’t have one anymore.
The scooter owner, who declined an interview request with KOIN 6 News, told deputies she had a tough childhood and wanted to do the right thing.
Thursday, she took the girl and her younger brother to the store and bought each of them a new bike and bike lock.
Whitely said the scooter owner exemplifies the core values of the sheriff’s office.
“(She) had her property returned, saw another opportunity to do a good gesture and in turn do the right thing and did something great for these kids.”
Their mom, though, faces 6 charges: 2nd-degree theft, criminal mischief and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Harman also faces 4 charges: 2nd-degree theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Washington County investigators continue to look into the case and more charges may be forthcoming.
Filed under: Crime, Editor's Pick, Human Interest, Multnomah County, Top Video, Washington County
