Summer time, and the stealing is easy
By Terry Murry on Monday, June 1st, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
PENDLETON – Pools throughout the region are getting ready to provide a space to cool down as summer heats up. Pendleton Police Chief Tony Nelson warns people to protect their valuables.
He said leaving a tote or a purse unattended while taking a dip can create a costly problem.
“Leave things locked up,” he said. “Find a way to leave it in your car. Get a valet key so you can lock and just have one single key. If you’re at a pool, use a locker. Don’t just leave it laying around.”
He said thieves also look for cell phones that are left unattended.
“We have theft cases of people just using it (a stolen phone) to get gas at the gas station and throwing the phone away,” he said.
The Joe Humbert Family Aquatic Center in Milton-Freewater is already open. The Pendleton Family Aquatic Center opens Saturday, and the Hermiston Family Aquatic Center opens June 13.
EMG photo illustration
