Sean Michael Kearney
  • Sean Michael Kearney

The Portland Police Bureau, after months of work and millions in bond money spent, is ready to unveil its new training center this afternoon.

There will be tours and refreshments and local dignitaries, the PPB said in a news release sent out this morning. What the bureau didn't mention, until another release a few moments ago, is that they've had some difficulties with the site this week.

Turns out a guy named Sean Michael Kearney (allegedly) decided to pluck some of the center's taxpayer-funded treasure (well, some metal panelling waiting to be installed) before the place was swarming with cops. And the bureau needed barely any of the training officers will receive at the facility to get the stuff back. From the release:

On Monday September 15, 2014, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a suspect stole several thousand dollars worth of metal panels to be used as the entry facade to the new Portland Police Training Complex, located at 14902 Northeast Airport Way.

A North Precinct detective was able to obtain surveillance video of the suspect vehicle, which was a fairly distinct looking Chevy S-10 pick-up truck.

On Wednesday September 17, 2014, the detective spotted the vehicle as it drove by him on his way home. Uniform officers were called to stop the vehicle and the suspect was arrested without incident.

The detective continued to investigate and late last night recovered all of the stolen metal but it is unlikely it can be used at the Training Complex as some of it has been damaged.