Arrest Made in Operation MistleTow Investigation Involving Trafficking Stolen Cars (Photo)

January 05, 2024 17:01

  Follow @PortlandPolice

A months-long investigation by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office’s (MCDA) Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF), dubbed “Operation MistleTow,” resulted in the arrest today of Joseph Allen Beard, 53. He is a suspect alleged to have stolen multiple vehicles through an illegal tow truck operation to sell cars for scrap metal. Beard is facing multiple charges including Trafficking in Stolen Vehicles, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Theft, Criminal Mischief, Forgery, and Identity Theft.

The lead MCDA Investigator, assisted by members of the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct Stolen Vehicle Operation and East Precinct Neighborhood Response Team (NRT), arrested Beard this morning at Northeast 162nd Avenue and Northeast Halsey Street. Photos of the stop and his arrest are attached.

A significant break in the investigation came on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 6:13p.m., when a Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officer responded to a report of an attempted vehicle theft in the 1700 block of Northeast 66th Avenue. The officer learned that a theft victim, a 79-year-old woman, confronted the tow truck driver trying to steal her car. The suspect had left the scene, but the victim provided crucial information and the officer documented it in a police report.

An investigation led by the MCDA ATTF investigator, in collaboration with PPB East Precinct Stolen Vehicle Operation, East NRT, and North NRT, revealed that Beard was connected to at least five stolen vehicles being sold to a scrap metal dealer. Additional details of the case are available in the MCDA’s office news release, which is available here:

https://www.mcda.us/index.php/news/auto-theft-task-force-operation-mistletow-exposes-illegal-towing-ring-trafficking-stolen-cars

If anyone has information about crimes connected to James A. Beard, and has not already spoken to investigators, please e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 23-317217.

Photo descriptions:
Suspect (Beard) standing next to a black pickup truck with tow arm being handcuffed by PPB officers
Suspect in handcuffs next to a black pickup truck with tow arm
Suspect in handcuffs standing next to an unmarked PPB vehicle being searched by uniformed PPB officers


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