News Release from: Washington Co. Sheriff's Office
DETECTIVES ARREST SERIAL BURGLAR
Posted: September 20th, 2012 2:34 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-09/1128/57832/Rosanne_McCausland.jpg (Roseanne McCausland)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2012-09/1128/57832/Thomas_Phelps.jpg (Thomas Phelps)
In March of this year, Sheriff's Deputies and Detectives began investigating a string of burglaries in southern Washington County. In each case, a power meter had been removed in an apparent attempt to disable the home alarm system. As Sheriff's Office Property Crime Detectives began their investigation, they discovered similar crimes in Beaverton and Lake Oswego involving primarily high-end homes. There was over $100,000 in property including four vehicles stolen during eight known burglaries. Detectives from Washington County, Beaverton, and Lake Oswego began a collaborative effort to solve these crimes and arrest the people responsible to stop the thefts.
On September 1, 2012, St. George Police Department in Utah arrested 28-year-old Rosanne McCausland for possession of stolen guns from the local burglaries. She is being held in Utah on the weapons charges. She called the St. George Police Department on an unrelated issue when the guns were discovered in her possession.
On September 18, 2012, detectives from the three agencies served a search warrant at the Snow Line Hotel in Rhododendron, Oregon at 7370 East Highway 26. They arrested 38-year-old Thomas Phelps who was residing at the hotel. Detectives also recovered thousands of dollars of property from the hotel and two nearby storage units. There is a large amount of jewelry, tools, sports equipment, and furniture that have not been identified. All of the recovered property is believed to have been stolen in our local burglary cases.
Investigators believe Thomas Phelps was using the unsecure areas of Facebook and Twitter to discover when homeowners would be on vacation.
Thomas Phelps is being held in the Washington County Jail charged with 21 crimes ranging from Burglary and Theft to Criminal Mischief. His bail is currently $50,000.
There are more charges pending for Thomas Phelps and Rosanne McCausland will be charged when she returns to Oregon.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office reminds citizens not to post personal information on unsecure websites. The Sheriff's Crime Prevention Unit reminds citizens to mark property or valuables with an identifying mark, and to keep a record in a safe place that includes the brand, model number, and serial number of marked property. These simple steps will help law enforcement return property that is stolen or lost. Operation Identification is a nationwide program that provides additional tips for citizens.
Sheriff's Detectives will work to identify the owners of the stolen property, many items of which are considered unique. Items may not be releasable for several months or until the prosecution is complete.
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