Courtney Carlile, a key figure in a prolific burglary ring linked to over 100 break-ins throughout the Portland metro area, received a nine-year prison sentence following her guilty plea to 13 business burglaries in 2024.
Among the businesses she targeted were Bistro 23, Momiji, Flipside Bar & Carts, Old Town Brewing, Assembly Brewing, Black Bear Diner, Grassa, the DV8 strip club, and an Electric Lettuce marijuana retailer.
In court, Shelley Garrett from Artichoke Community Music testified about the devastating impact of the theft, particularly the loss of $8,000 worth of audio equipment from their nonprofit organization located on Southeast Powell Boulevard.
Prosecutor Alex Garcia highlighted the organized nature of the burglary ring, which reportedly consisted of at least 10 members who donned masks and carried portable electric saws to gain access to in-store safes.
Earlier this year, Joshua Lucero, identified as the ringleader, was also sentenced to nine years, while another member, Daniel Blew, received 1½ years.
Garcia emphasized the broader ramifications of Carlile’s actions, noting that vacant commercial spaces were increasingly common in the area as businesses hesitated to open due to safety concerns.
The 28-year-old Carlile has a troubling past, with ongoing identity theft cases in both Washington and Clackamas counties, in addition to five previous second-degree theft convictions dating back to 2008.
She chose not to speak during her sentencing hearing.
Judge Christopher Marshall remarked on the unusual presence of her supportive family in the courtroom, expressing that it gave her a better chance of rehabilitation compared to many others in similar situations.
In a separate case, Shane McKeever, 23, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter after intentionally running over 48-year-old David Bentley, known on the streets as “Dino,” in a bike lane.
The incident occurred on February 25, 2024, at approximately 3 a.m. following a dispute at a nearby campsite.
Bentley was seated on his bicycle when McKeever struck him with a stolen Chevy Malibu.
McKeever fled the scene and was not arrested until five months later.
A sentencing date for McKeever has been established for August 18.
In a third case, Desmond Pitts, 29, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years of probation following a road rage incident in which he discharged a firearm in a fit of anger.
During the confrontational encounter on June 2, 2023, Pitts fired six shots at a Prius driven by Stephen Vaeth, who had allegedly cut him off while emerging from a driveway on Southwest Murdoch Road.
Although Pitts claimed he intended to scare Vaeth, two of the shots struck the vehicle.
Pitts expressed gratitude that no one was injured as a result of his actions.
In brief updates from Multnomah County:
Stephanie Lozano-Rauch, 37, was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison after pleading no contest to attempted assault for stabbing her ex-boyfriend at the Las Adelitas apartments in Portland on August 10, 2024.
Tyree Scott, 30, from La Center, was convicted of second-degree assault after shooting Peter Gilmour in the hand outside The Lounge strip club in Portland on May 23, 2023.
The jury acquitted Scott of attempted murder, and he was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison.
Lastly, Kelvin Pea Jr., 32, received a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree attempted assault for injuring a bystander while shooting at his ex-girlfriend in Gresham on March 14, 2024.
These cases highlight ongoing issues with violent crime and property offenses facing the Portland community.
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/06/portland-woman-sentenced-in-devastating-metro-burglary-ring.html
