Thief takes woman's purse and then later steals her car
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PORTLAND, Ore. - It started with a stolen purse. That was bad enough for a local woman. Then, she and her husband learned how that simple theft can get exponentially worse - and leave them fearing for their safety in their own home.
This all goes back to last weekend, the charity event Sand in the City at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Kate Blackmore was there for work. Her employer is Impact Northwest, a non-profit that helps low income children and families.
Kate's purse, tucked under a table, was stolen, presumably by the man shown in surveillance video images provided to Kate by her credit union. Her reaction to seeing his face?
“It was like oh, that’s the guy who took all my money. He sucks,” she chuckles.
The photos show the man making multiple withdrawals at the ATM on Southeast Hawthorne with a PIN code she thinks he must have retrieved from somewhere in her purse.
“For a couple of days we parked the car elsewhere because we were paranoid. And then we thought after a few days that he wouldn't come back for our car,” Kate explains.
And that's the morning they woke up this week to find their car gone, the car they'd just paid off, all $6,000 of it. The loss is especially tough right now. The Blackmore’s are trying very hard to save for their first baby. Kate is seven months along.
Her husband Ryan works for a non-profit too, Mercy Corps. They're struggling with the notion that one person's thoughtless actions can so severely affect their lives.
“If nothing else, I just want our car back. I just want something to get from a to b,” says Kate.
KATU Investigator Anna Canzano contacted Gladstone Nissan’s general manager Thursday; she has a family member who is an employee at the dealership. By the afternoon, GM Dave Cope had arranged for the couple to get a ride to the dealership where they were given a used Oldsmobile Intrigue. Cope says all the couple has to pay for is the title transfer fee.
The Blackmore's are still hoping you'll keep an eye out for their stolen 1999 Honda sedan. It has an Oregon license plate ZQZ-095.
"It’s nice to know there are good people in the world, even though we had all our things stolen. This is me being extremely happy," Kate explained, through tears.
First off, a HUGE kudos to Gladstone Nissan, and Mr Cope. That is the very definition of above and beyond. I've never had any business dealings with them, but in the future if I need a car you can bet they'll be one of my stops.
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If I were the Blackmores, I'd be investing in new locks for their home. If the dungbomb is bold enough to come to their house and get the car, I'd be worried that he might show back up to go through the house. Or, sell the keys to another such individual and let them do it.
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It's sadly unfortunate that someone working at a non-profit booth has to be deliberately mindful of their purse. It is, however, reality. I would hope that with an ATM photograph, that the police can find the miscreant. Unfortunately, I sincerely doubt that he would spend more than a night in jail for his crimes. Sadly, some of the best lessons people can learn often cost the most.
 @MarkKpic - I'd left my bag with six volunteers before I went to work at a parade for a 1/2 hour, being very specific to watch our bags and other valuables in the booth. My purse was the only thing touched, and he must've somehow reached underneath the tarp and grabbed it. It wasn't left unguarded by any means, but he figured out a way to grab it while others were distracted.Â
 @kblackmore Glad to see you're posting. Sorry it is under these circumstances. I've found that armchair quarterbacking is SO much easier than getting caught in a situation like this! Sadly, if not you, this would have more than likely been someone else (and he probably got away with more than your purse). I'd have to say I'm amazed at this man's persistence (or selling your address and keys to someone -- who knows).
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Now that you've learned your expensive lesson you can help advocate and educate others who, unfortunately, will also go through this.
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Here's wishing you that this will be all straightened out soon and with no more financial or emotional impact. And thank you for being willing to work at these nonprofits. The pay is horrible, the work is difficult, and you often take much of the burden home with you. Some how, some way, here's also wishing you will be rewarded for all you do!
Thank you KATU and the Gladstone dealership. Kate is one of my best friends and its one of the nicest people. She is a hard worker and a person who totally deserves the help. I spoke with her earlier and she said she also got some coupons for a local grocery store for food :) Her and her husband feel so lucky that people are helping them out and being so generous. They appreciate it and as her friend so do I. You guys have made their bad situation a little better.
A nice bit to help a couple out Anna.
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Never try to hide a car that you think the bad guys got the keys for. Pulling the battery ground strap is so, so. In the old days it was a good trick to remove the distributor rotor.
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Now go into the main fuse/relay block and pull something related to the fuel pump, ECU, or another critical system.Â
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The bad guys will not know what is sideways and can only guess what is wrong.Â
Very nice of the KATU investigator and the Nissan dealership to help these people out. And for once a news story where the soon to be mom and dad are actually married before the child is born. Sadly it's no longer the norm. I hope they do well.
@last boyscout I would like to know, how did parentage get in the story? I doesn't matter if the parents are married or not, that's not thee reason the story made it in the paper. It made it in the paper because of the theft and what the dealership did for the couple. Quit trying to bring down a nice, feel good story.
 @Laurie I highlighted something to be proud of, and you say that is to "bring down" a story? I say they are to be elevated to a higher level. And others should follow suit.Â
And the fact that she is pregnant makes this more agregious or is that just an attention grabbing headline that the "journalists" at KATU use?
 @Rob C News stations will never just post a photo of a crook without a story. In order to get his photo out there, there had to be an interview with an angle. Things like this happen all the time - I happen to be very fortunate that this got attention, but if I never get this level attention in my life again, I'll be happy. KATU & Gladstone Nissan certainly made my few days of embarrassment worth it.Â
@kblackmore .......Kate: I'm glad it all worked out for you!!
 @Rob C It might be attention grabbing but they are also doing something nice for my friend so I don't think she minds that much. She did tell me that she didn't want to be on camera but right now she is grateful that they are doing so much for her and her family, its a small price to pay for people to do nice things for you. The station deserves a little publicity for hooking her up with a car :)
@Marie Mariposa ......you're right marie
should've put a bear trap in the car
Anna you are a bright spot in an otherwise miserable week for that couple. You are one classy lady.
Moral of the story, carry a wallet like I do or keep your purse around your neck like I used to do when I had to have one.
Go Gladstone Nissan! Â You rock!
And KATU, where are the pics of these creep for those of us that don't watch videos?
That's incredibly freaking low.