07/25/2002

By ABE ESTIMADA, kgw.com Staff

Portland police may be closing in on a brazen car thief who smiles at stunned car dealers as he takes off with their vehicles.

Detectives have a “subject of interest” who they want to speak with, said Sgt. Brian Schmautz, a spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau. The car thief has hit three car dealerships along Sandy Boulevard since Sunday.

Police all three stolen cars, Schmautz said. The cars are a dark blue 2002 PT Cruiser, a blue 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a white, 1994 Lexus GS300.

The suspect is described as an African-American male in his mid-30s to early 40s. He stands about 5-foot-6 and weighs about 145 pounds.

Going by the name “Jay,” he approaches car dealerships and pretends to be interested in buying a car.

When the salesperson and the suspect agree to test drive the vehicles, the suspect locked the door then drove away. The salesperson was left trying to open the door while the suspect smiles and waves.

The car thefts began at Alexander Chrysler on NE 24rd Avenue and Sandy at 5:45 p.m. A dealer there didn’t want to talk about the incident but said the PT Cruiser was returned to them.

“Jay” struck again Monday at the Wallace Breslin Jeep dealership on NE 35th Avenue and Sandy about 3:23 p.m.

And on Tuesday, the suspected car thief hit the Crown Auto Rental on NE 13th and Sandy about 2:20 p.m.