News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Burglars steal over $13,000 worth of tools from Sisters Rental

A crew of burglars struck Sisters Rental at about 9 p.m. on Wednesday night, March 24, and made off with an estimated $13,000 in Stihl saws.

According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at 6:47 a.m. on Thursday, March 25, to Sisters Rental on the corner of Pine Street and West Barclay Drive on the report of a burglary.

An investigation determined at approximately 8:57 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, two suspects broke through a glass door and entered the business. Once inside, the suspects stole over $13,000 in Stihl chainsaws and a Stihl concrete saw.

The suspects were driving a newer, white, four-door Honda Civic, with unknown license plates. The driver is described as being an adult Latino male, approximately 25-35 years old, with dark hair, a beard, and having a stocky build. The passenger is described as an adult Latino male, approximately 20-30 years old, with a medium build. Both suspects were wearing masks at the time of the burglary.

Deputies have contacted several businesses in the area to obtain additional evidence and video surveillance from the time of the burglary.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the public to contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-693-6911, if they have any further information; reference case 21-15062.

Sisters Rental owner Pat Thompson said he thinks the public can be a big help.

“If these criminals are local, I’m sure someone will recognize them or their vehicle,” he said.

The loss of equipment is a blow to the business. Thompson noted that high demand and pandemic-related issues with manufacturing have made obtaining equipment challenging.

“We probably have 100-150 chainsaws on backorder and have since last August or September,” he told The Nugget. “We’re going to have a hard time building back that inventory.”

Sisters Rental opened an expansive new facility in the spring of 2020. At the time, Thompson was pleased at the high level of visibility that the new shop offers. Now he’s dismayed to discover that the high visibility has apparently made the business a target for professional thieves.

“Now what (have) I got to do?” he said. “Put up a 10-foot fence and barbed wire just to be safe? What are we coming to?”

 

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