Honda owners in Portland urged to be vigilant with theft of electronic part on the rise

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – If you drive a Honda in Portland, you’re going to want to read this.

Since mid-November, Portland police has seen at least 18 reports of an electronic part being stolen from the front of Honda vehicles throughout town.

At Ron Tonkin Honda along Southeast 122nd, 16 vehicles were targeted early Wednesday morning.

"It sounds like whoever did this knew what they were doing and did it very quickly," said David Moreno, a sales manager at Ron Tonkin Honda.

The $2,000 radar sensors that were stolen are crucial devices that help with safety features.

"We're doing so good, recovering from COVID. This is a normal year and just to finish off the year right when we're trying to meet quotas and get the end of the year deals and then here we go," Moreno said.

Outside the dealership, police said they have received similar reports from “all over the Portland area.” The most common area has been Southeast Portland from Stark Street to Woodstock Boulevard and Cesar Chavez Boulevard to 82nd Avenue.

One incident that took place in the Montavilla neighborhood was caught on camera, prompting police to ask the public for any information about the suspect spotted in the video. This video can be watched in the player above.

"It is incredibly upsetting and troubling to have a piece of your car stolen. It's not a cheap fix and that's tough at any time of the year, but especially during the holidays," said Mike Benner, a Portland Police Bureau spokesperson.

Meanwhile, investigators are encouraging anyone with information about these thefts, or anyone who may have been a victim of these crimes, to contact PPB.

“PPB urges Honda owners to park their vehicles in a garage if that is an option,” officials said. “If not, Honda owners are encouraged to park in well-lit areas where accessibility to the front of the vehicle is difficult.”

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.