This operation was part of a larger SVO collaboration involving multiple law enforcement agencies in the Portland metro area

VANCOUVER – On Wednesday (Nov. 29), the Vancouver Police Department conducted the first Southwest Washington joint Stolen Vehicle Operation (SVO) with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. This operation was part of a larger SVO collaboration involving multiple law enforcement agencies in the Portland metro area.

The Vancouver Police SVO focused on various areas of west and central Vancouver, based on stolen vehicle data. While the primary mission was to proactively locate and recover stolen vehicles, operations such as these also address larger crime and public safety issues. Stolen vehicles are often connected to crimes including shootings, robberies, thefts, assaults, and other violent crimes. Additionally, vehicle theft suspects frequently drive at dangerously high speeds, further endangering the public. 

The results of last night’s SW Washington SVO included recovery of 4 Stolen vehicles with 6 subjects arrested. Officers also seized one vehicle pending a search warrant on a pending VPD Property Crimes Unit Investigation. Additionally, 56 Fentanyl pills recovered from one of the arrested suspects. 

In one incident of the night, a vehicle that was stolen out of Vancouver was spotted by the owner, who followed the vehicle and confronted the driver. The driver threatened the owner and fled the area. VPD later located the occupied stolen car and attempted a traffic stop. The driver eluded police at reckless speeds, demonstrating no regard for the safety of the public. Several hours later, VPD officers working the SVO, located that same stolen vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver exhibited egregiously dangerous driving behavior and eluded police at a high rate of speed crossing into Oregon. Officers conducting the Portland SVO were able to locate the vehicle and using spike strips were able to get the vehicle stopped and the driver arrested.   

The Vancouver Police Department will be conducting future SVO’s in an effort to reduce vehicle theft and the crimes associated with stolen vehicles.  

Information provided by Vancouver Police Department.