Arrests made in Camas burglaries

Two males have been arrested in connection with burglaries of several businesses in downtown Camas.

Alex James Burton, 32, a transient from Beaverton, Oregon, was booked into the Washington County Jail on five counts of second-degree burglary and one count of first-degree malicious mischief.

A 17-year-old from Vancouver was booked at the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center on eight counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree possession of stolen property and two counts of third-degree possession of stolen property.

The investigation into the Camas burglaries revealed similar crimes occurred in Vancouver and Portland.

Camas Police detectives worked closely with detectives from the Vancouver Police Department, and they were further assisted by the Portland Police Bureau and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

The listed charges are related to the Camas burglaries. The suspects were also charged with additional burglaries that did not occur in Camas.

Businesses affected by the Feb. 13 break-ins included Artkana, 415 N.E. Fourth Ave., Cake Happy, 340 N.E. Fourth Ave., Dance Evolution, 334 N.E. Fourth Ave., The Wild Hair, 418 N.E. Cedar St., and Happy Island Restaurant, 419 N.E. Cedar St.

Also on Feb. 13, one or more individuals rummaged through some file cabinets in a back space that Attic Gallery, 421 N.E. Cedar St., shares with Happy Island. Nothing was taken from the gallery.

The Journey Community Church building at 304 N.E. Fourth Ave., was not broken into, but some cash was taken from the pastor’s office located above Dance Evolution.

There were attempted break-ins Feb. 13 and during the late evening of Feb. 15, or the early morning of Feb. 16, at Straub’s Funeral Home, 325 N.E. Third Ave., but the suspect(s) did not make it inside.

Most of the burglaries involved smashed windows. Cash, credit cards and an iPad were stolen from Arktana. Approximately $40 in cash was taken from Dance Evolution, along with company checks and the business’ cell phone.

Cash and a cash register were taken from Cake Happy. A checkbook and $20 in change were taken from The Wild Hair.

Burton and the Vancouver teen are also suspects in the Feb. 8 burglary of Caffe Piccolo, 400 N.E. Fourth Ave. The front door was smashed, and electronics and money were taken.