Clackamas Deputies Arrest Suspect Described as 'Aggressive' Car Prowler

Investigators are looking for at least one witness.

The victim vehicle and Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff, Hollie Quick. Photo: Jim Strovink / Clackamas Sheriff

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - Investigators say a resident watched a male subject smash a vehicle window this morning, then begin removing items while it was in the Safeway parking lot in Damascus.

"This conscientious witness obtained and reported to Clackamas County Sheriff's the suspect description, suspect vehicle description, complete with the suspect vehicle license plate number," Sheriff's Office Spokesman Jim Strovink said.

"While Clackamas County Deputy Sheriff's were obtaining this vital information, additional automobile entries were reported to have occurred in the parking lot of the Deer Creek Elementary School, located on SE 232nd, in Damascus."

Strovink says that while obtaining all of this criminal activity an additional vehicle entry was reported to have occurred at the Pleasant Valley Grade School, in Happy Valley.

Responding Clackamas County Patrol and Multnomah County Sheriff's personnel investigating this latest vehicle entry recovered property belonging to the victim from the earlier Safeway parking lot incident – apparently discarded at this scene by the suspect.

Gil Millet, a Clackamas County Sheriff's Detective assigned to the Happy Valley Police Department, was alerted to this criminal activity by patrol personnel and recognized the name of the registered owner of the suspect vehicle.

The suspect vehicle registered owner was known to Detective Millet from a previous incident that occurred in March, 2008, when the apprehended and convicted suspect had broken into a victim's vehicle and stolen personal ‘treasures' belonging to a young cancer patient; who resided in Happy Valley.

Phillip B. Merriam faces many charges

Strovink says on this previous occasion in 2008, those stolen personal treasures were recovered by Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Detective Gil Millet and the suspect was identified, apprehended and prosecuted for that crime.

That suspect identified as 35-year old Phillip Burton Merriam, is the same suspect believed responsible for this latest series of vehicle break-ins – witnessed and reported on the morning of Thursday, April 23, 2009.

"Detective Millett pursued this investigation immediately that morning of April 23rd, and soon learned that Merriam was a fugitive, wanted in Multnomah County for obstructing and interfering with a police investigation."

Strovink says that in addition – less than two-hours later - Millett observed Merriam in his vehicle, parked in the driveway of a residence in the 4700 block of SE 113th, in Portland.

At 11:40 a.m. Detective Millett, along with members of the Portland Police Bureau Patrol, subsequently apprehended Merriam during a traffic stop on SE 134th, in Portland.

"During this arrest Merriam is reported to have ingested methamphetamine he held in his possession and attempted to destroy an accompanying 'crack pipe'. Merriam was subsequently taken into police custody and lodged in the Multnomah County Jail," Strovink said.

Merriam was lodged for the existing Multnomah County arrest warrant, and is expected to be charged with additional crimes in Clackamas County for the related series of car break-ins.

He is currently charged with first-degree Theft, second-degree Theft, third-degree Theft, first-degree Criminal Mischief, 2 counts of second-degree Criminal Mischief, and 3 counts of Unlawful Entry into a motor vehicle.

Millett indicates that an additional victim – yet to be identified – is believed to have suffered a vehicle break-in that is attributed to Merriam late Thursday morning, April 23rd; while parked in the vicinity of SE 104th & SE Powell, in Portland.

He says investigators would like to have this victim come forward and report this criminal incident.

"Merriam's signature to his crime is that he routinely will smash a vehicle window to gain entry and steal items of value from inside the unattended victim vehicle," Strovink said.

Strovink said, "Clackamas County Sheriff's wish to personally acknowledge the commendable reporting by the witness in this case; whose attentiveness acquiring the suspect vehicle information was instrumental in helping to bring this suspect into custody. This witness is available for comment, and if any media are interested in conducting an interview with this witness or Detective Millett - please contact Detective Strovink, Public Information Officer, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office."