PPD nabs alleged serial thief

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

News release from the Pendleton Police Department

On January 17, 2023 at about 10:45 a.m., Pendleton Police Department personnel arrested Jensen Daniel Hart, a 25-year-old Pendleton resident after a short foot pursuit in the area of Stillman Park. Jensen was the suspect in a rash of retail thefts from various business in Pendleton from October 10, 2022 thru January 16, 2023. All total, Jensen is suspected of victimizing nine (9) separate business during his spree. Those businesses include:

Vehicle parked at Thur’s Smoke Shop, October 10, 2022, $120.00 cash and damage to vehicle
Pendleton Woolen Mills, December 15, 2022, $239.00 in merchandise stolen
Walmart, December 24, 2022, $1,131.22 in merchandise stolen
Grocery Outlet, December 29, 2022, $22.98 in merchandise stolen
Safeway, December 30, 2022, $31.97 in merchandise stolen
Pandora’s Box, December 31, 2022, $75.00 in merchandise stolen
D&B Supply, December 28, 2022, $329.99 in merchandise stolen
Pendleton Woolen Mills, January 4, 2023, $857.97 in merchandise stolen
Round-Up Retail Store, January 16, 2023, $1,156.00 in merchandise stolen

In all cases, either video surveillance or other evidence implicated Hart as the suspect. Due to the transient nature of Hart, he proved difficult to locate and arrest. On the day of his arrest, Officer Markus Williams, working light duty as a result of an injury sustained during the arrest of another theft suspect, noticed Hart at Stillman Park from the video surveillance camera system.

Detectives and patrol personnel formulated an arrest plan, as it is known that Hart would actively flee and/or resist arrest. A detective approached the park in plain clothes. Hart recognized the detective upon approach and fled from the park. Due to the coordinated arrest plan, a perimeter was already established by patrol personnel. A short foot pursuit ensued that lasted a few dozen yards before the detective, assisted by a patrol officer took Hart into custody.

Hart was lodged at the Umatilla County Jail on numerous felony and misdemeanor theft charges, as well as additional charges of criminal trespass and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. The cases will be routed to both the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office and Pendleton Municipal Court. Records show that this Hart’s 17^th arrest in our area.