Clackamas County Sheriff's and Sandy Police Arrest Residential Serial Burglar in Sandy

Police say the Grandparents of Mark Ian Keith were not aware of the criminal activity being conducted and are very cooperative with investigators.

23-year old Mark Ian Keith Inset photos are recovered items Photos: Clackamas County Sheriff

(SANDY, Ore.) - Sandy Police and the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office launched a joint investigative effort Friday, dedicated to tracking a serial burglar believed responsible for committing at least 30 residential burglaries in and around the City of Sandy.

This joint investigative effort resulted in the arrest of 23-year old Mark Ian Keith, according to Detective Jim Strovink with Clackamas County. At the time of his arrest on Friday, Keith was residing with Grandparents at an address on Strawbridge Parkway, in the City of Sandy.

Strovink says the Sandy Police and Clackamas County Sheriff's have been monitoring and investigating an unusual amount of residential burglaries reported in the area over the last couple of months.

On Thursday, Sandy Police received an investigative lead from the Hillsboro Police Department concerning a firearm reported as stolen earlier from a residential burglary in Sandy. Upon receiving this investigative lead, Sandy Police devised an investigative operation with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. On Friday, this collective investigative led investigators to Mark Ian Keith where he had been residing with Grandparents, in the City of Sandy.

During the course of this investigation, it was revealed that Mark Keith was departing his Grandparents residence daily; allegedly to seek employment. It was truly discovered that Keith was actually out burglarizing residences in and around the City of Sandy. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office reports that Mark Keith was staying with his Grandparents in a bedroom exclusively for himself. It was in this bedroom where investigators discovered Strovink says in it was the vast amount of stolen property taken from at least 16 reported residential burglary cases in and around the City of Sandy.

Police say the Grandparents of Mark Ian Keith were not aware of the criminal activity being conducted and are very cooperative with investigators.

Sandy Police and the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office personnel continue to pursue this extensive burglary investigation; recognizing there are potentially an additional 16 burglary incidents this subject may be responsible for committing in the Sandy area.

Among the recovered stolen property are guns, numerous watches, electronic games, computers, rare coins and jewelry.

Deputy Claggett stated one 80 year old City of Sandy victim, Charles Overstreet, was thrilled to recover his World War ll pin that had been stolen from his residence; along with other items of sentimental value.

Investigators report they are still in the process of attempting to identify victims of burglary cases in and around the City of Sandy possibly victimized by Mark Ian Keith.

Anyone with additional information is requested to contact the Sandy Police Department; reference Sandy PD Case# 07-00268. Or, contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office; reference CCSO Case #07-11235.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Tip Line number is 503-723-4949.

Mark Ian Keith has been lodged in the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Jail for 16 charges of Burglary 1; with an assessed $800,000 bail. Arraignment for this matter is set for Monday at 3:00 p.m.