CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (KOIN) — In the past two years, car thefts have increased by nearly 80% in Clackamas County — to the point where the district attorney is calling it an “epidemic.”
Chief Deputy DA Chris Owen said the problem has skyrocketed after the court of appeals decided cases in 2014 and 2015 that had a domino effect on the cases that would follow. Owen said the judge determined that certain evidence that had been used for years to get convictions wasn’t enough.
Facts like damage to the vehicle, presence of a “crime committing kit,” other stolen items in the car, drugs, not having registration or insurance cards are no longer enough to make the case.
That means without a confession, cases are very difficult to prosecute. Thieves can essentially just claim they got the car from someone else and get away with it.
Voters passed Measure 57 in 2008, which increased the punishment for repeat property criminals. Before that, car thieves were not eligible for prison sentences until their fifth conviction.
Owen said the Oregon District Attorney Association has proposed legislation to fix the laws so cases can be more successfully prosecuted, however, so far lawmakers have killed the bills. The DA’s office said there are even signs legislators intend to roll back Measure 57.