Teenage burglary ring terrorizing east Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. - Police have arrested three teenagers and are searching for more in connection with a burglary ring that hit more than 100 homes during the past year.

Investigators believe up to a dozen juveniles are part of the ring, which stole small items such as portable electronics, credit cards and cash from homes throughout Northeast Portland. Some of the burglaries occurred during the day. They sold the property to buy marijuana, police said.

"It's certainly elaborate when you consider the suspects are 12, 13, 14 and 15-year-old kids," said Sgt. Brian Schmautz, a Portland police spokesman.

Detectives learned of the gang after noticing similarities in a series of home burglaries near Northeast Fremont Street between Northeast 39th Avenue and Northeast 82nd Avenue, police said.

Since beginning the investigation last month, detectives have arrested 15-year-old Noah Hanning, 13-year-old Leighton Hanning and 14-year-old Kyle Francis. Each are charged with one count of first-degree burglary.

Police said the teens operated from a neighborhood on Northeast Wygant Street, a launching post for their crime spree that they call "the Block."

Some neighbors said they are terrorized by the kids.

"These are kids who are pretty much bullies in the neighborhood," Schmautz said.

Stephanie Sorenson's house was burglarized earlier this week. Her husband found the house ransacked when he returned to the home Monday evening.

She feels upset and violated.

"I'm putting myself through a master's program," she said. "I'm helping my kids through college. And somebody just walks in and takes my stuff."

Police said they found many of Sorenson's belongings at a home on Northeast Fremont Street.

On Tuesday, police also raided a home in the 5800 block of Northeast Prescott Street and found stolen DVDs, cameras, guitars and electronics.

They said they expect more arrests as they unravel the case in the coming days and weeks.