Three Arrested In Organized Retail Theft Investigation; More Than $10,000 In Stolen Merchandise Recovered
TIGARD, Ore. – Three Portland-area residents were arrested after a regional organized retail theft investigation led to the recovery of more than $10,000 in stolen merchandise, according to the Tigard Police Department.
The investigation began June 26th when a Tigard police detective assigned to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office as an organized retail theft investigator was notified by an Ulta loss prevention investigator that suspected shoplifters were in McMinnville and traveling toward Washington County.
The detective coordinated with officers from the McMinnville, Newberg and Sherwood police departments. Authorities stopped the suspects’ vehicle in Sherwood and arrested three people.
Those arrested were:
- Christopher Lee Harlan, 40, of the Portland area, on two counts of first-degree aggravated theft and one count of first-degree theft.
- James Alexander Senften, 39, of the Portland area, on a first-degree failure to appear warrant.
- Shawn Douglas Strock, 40, of the Portland area, on charges of second-degree theft and third-degree theft.
The McMinnville Police Department is expected to pursue additional charges against all three suspects. Authorities also said Harlan is likely to face additional charges related to other theft investigations.