News Summary
A 37-year-old man, Abel Arambula, was arrested for multiple burglary-related charges after suspicious activity was reported at a construction site in Washington County. Authorities responded to a 911 call early in the morning and discovered Arambula in a vehicle covered with duct tape. A subsequent search revealed stolen construction tools linked to a previous burglary incident. He faces serious charges, including second-degree burglary and first-degree theft, and the community is urged to report any additional information.
Portland, Oregon – A 37-year-old man named Abel Arambula was arrested on Thursday for multiple burglary-related charges stemming from suspicious activity reported at a construction site in Washington County. The incident occurred shortly after 3:30 a.m. in the Bethany neighborhood, where a concerned caller alerted authorities about a suspicious individual between houses that were under construction.
Deputies responded to the call, receiving a description of the individual and the vehicle they drove. The investigation led law enforcement to locate a 2010 Nissan Versa, which raised suspicion due to duct tape covering its license plate. Upon further investigation, Arambula was identified as the vehicle’s driver, and authorities found various construction tools inside the car.
Additional scrutiny of the vehicle linked it to a prior burglary incident at another construction site that had occurred on August 7. Investigators acted promptly, executing a search warrant at Arambula’s residence shortly after 9 a.m., during which detectives uncovered multiple stolen items.
As a result of the investigation, Arambula has been booked into the Washington County Jail on several charges. These include three counts of second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, and first-degree criminal trespass.
Details of the Investigation
The investigation commenced when law enforcement received a 911 call concerning a suspicious individual seen between houses under construction on Northwest Anastasia Drive. The prompt report allowed deputies to act swiftly, tracking down the suspect’s vehicle and confirming the identity of the driver.
The prompt actions by the Washington County deputies contributed to a swift investigation that included the recovery of tools indicating potential theft and links to previous burglary activities. The discovery of duct tape on the license plate signaled an attempt to conceal the vehicle’s identity, heightening the suspicious circumstances surrounding the case.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
As of now, Abel Arambula is facing serious legal repercussions. The charges against him will be adjudicated in the Washington County judicial system, with the potential for significant penalties reflecting the severity of the accusations related to burglary and theft.
Public Appeal for Information
In light of this incident, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone who may have additional information regarding the case to reach out. Individuals can contact them at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-25-10943. The involvement of the community can provide crucial assistance in ongoing investigations and enhance public safety.
Background on Crime in Construction Areas
Burglary at construction sites has become an increasing concern across various regions, including Washington County. Such sites can be vulnerable due to their often transient nature and the presence of valuable tools and materials. Authorities are continually working to strengthen the security of these locations and educate the community about the importance of vigilance in reporting suspicious activity.
This incident underlines the critical nature of cooperation between law enforcement and community members in averting crime, reinforcing the need for awareness and immediate reporting when unusual behavior is observed in residential or construction areas.
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Additional Resources
- KPTV: Man Faces Burglary Charges After Theft at Construction Site
- Wikipedia: Burglary
- KOIN: Woman Convicted in Portland Burglary Ring
- Google Search: Portland burglary news
- KGW: Portland Police Drone Leads to Airbnb Burglary Arrests
- Google Scholar: Burglary Police Reporting
- Oregon Live: 4th Suspect Arrested in Portland Burglary Ring
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Burglary

Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.