A police K9 helped officers track down and arrest a wanted man who is accused of breaking into cars in a St. Helens neighborhood early Monday morning.
Officers received reports of a suspicious person stealing things, including a handgun, from cars in the Summit View Drive area. Neighbors followed the suspect to a nearby wooded area.
St. Helens Police set up a perimeter and K9 Ryder went into the woods to find the suspect.
The suspect, later identified as Devere Wind Sanchez, 35, of Portland, came out and was taken into custody. Police also recovered the stolen gun.
Sanchez was booked into the Columbia County Jail on first-degree theft, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and several open warrants out of Multnomah County.
Sanchez could face more charges.
More from St. Helens Police:
If you live in the area of Summit View Drive and Bachelor Flat Road and your vehicle was broken into or you had property stolen on the morning of September 26, 2022, please contact the St. Helens Police Department at 503-397-1521.
You can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of a vehicle break in by doing the following: Lock, Take, Hide. Always make sure to lock your vehicle, take your keys and belongings with you, and hide any items that you have to leave behind. Report vehicle break ins and theft to the St. Helens Police Department at 503-397-1521.