OREGON COMPUTER THEFT AT BUSINESSES LIKELY RELATEDBend Weekly News for Bend Oregon:
Jan 01,2007
Two computer store burglaries likely related, say police

Two computer stores in northeast Bend were burglarized within 24 hours of each other, and police think it is likely that the two are related.

Bend Police officers responded to a burglary alarm at PHD Computers at 9:17 a.m. Sunday, and to Click and Fix at 6:35 a.m. on Monday. Sgt. Dan Ritchie said that in both of the burglaries investigators found evidence of forced entry, and computer-related equipment was stolen.

Based upon similarities and evidence comparison, police believe the two burglaries are “very likely” related, said the sergeant. “We are currently following up on promising leads and analyzing physical evidence,” he said.

The two computer stores are both in downtown Bend, less than ¾ mile apart. PHD Computers is at 1851 NE 2^nd Street, and the Click and Fix is located southeast of that location at 416 NE Greenwood Avenue.

Sgt. Ritchie cautioned citizens on the purchase of brand new computer equipment from private citizens, and said they should be especially suspicious of the price of the merchandise, in addition to the location and means in which the equipment is solicited.

Anyone with information regarding these burglaries is asked to contact the Bend Police Department through Deschutes County Dispatch at 693-6911. “You can remain anonymous,” said the sergeant.