10/13/2022 - Man Facing Several Charges, Linked to $300,000 in Theft • Tigard Police Department
� c NEWS RELEASE
13125 SW Hall Boulevard, Tigard, Oregon 97223 • www.tigard-or.gov/police
JOINT NEWS RELEASE I October 13, 2022
Contacts:
Kelsey Anderson, PIO, Tigard Police: 971-708-2921, Kelsey.Anderson@tigard-or.gov
Sgt. Danny DiPietro, PIO, Washington Co. Sheriff's Office, 503-209-5613,
WCSOPIO@washingtoncountyor.gov
MAN FACING SEVERAL CHARGES, LINKED TO $300,000 IN THEFT
A man believed to be responsible for at least $300,000 in retail theft across the metro
area is now in jail, facing 16 criminal charges.
Austin Bailey, age 35, was arrested on Tuesday, October 12th by deputies with the
Washington County Sheriff's Office, after loss prevention employees in Beaverton
recognized Bailey as a known shoplifting suspect and called police. When deputies
arrived, Bailey took off running and led deputies on a short foot pursuit before he was
taken into custody. Deputies also recovered more than 40 pills suspected of containing
fentanyl, meth and heroin from Bailey at the time of his arrest.
Detectives with Tigard Police have been investigating Bailey for nearly a year in
connection with several large-scale theft cases from big box stores in the metro area. To
date, investigators believe Bailey has stolen at least $300,000 in merchandise from retail
stores in Washington, Clackamas, Multnomah and Clark counties.
Organized Retail Theft is a significant issue across our area, where criminals work
together to hit multiple stores in a string of thefts. They often target high-end
merchandise that can be stolen quickly, which they later sell for profit.
Detectives with the Tigard Police Commercial Crimes Unit consider Bailey's arrest to be
one of the most significant in recent memory when it comes to retail theft. He was
indicted by a grand jury on several theft-related charges in June.
Bailey is in the Washington County Jail charged with 1St-degree aggravated theft x4, 151_
degree theft x6, identity theft and other outstanding warrants.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office believes Bailey is responsible for several open
theft cases. The Beaverton Police Department is aware of at least one more case and
additional charges against Bailey are likely.
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