Alleged Diamond Thief Arrested in Portland

Suspect arrested in jewelry store break-in that happened last Thursday.

Jewelry Store Burglary suspect Pashenka Zapata Hanes

(PORTLAND, Ore) - Washington County Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested a suspect in a jewelry store burglary that occurred early Wednesday morning at the Ari Diamond store on SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway.

Sgt. David Thompson with the Washington County Sheriff's Office says over $40,000 in jewelry was stolen. "Detectives have recovered about half of the items stolen and are seeking the publics help in recovering the remaining jewelry," he said.

Investigators say the Ari Diamond jewelry store located at 6849 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway was burglarized last Wednesday at about 2:45 AM. Over $40,000 in jewelry was taken at the time, Thompson said.

Washington County property crimes detectives started working the case and were able to use surveillance cameras to assist in locating the suspects in the crime.

Thompson says Portland Police Officers detained 39-year-old Pashenka Zapata Hanes in the St. Johns Area last night, on the information they received from Washington County detectives, identifying him as a suspect in the jewelry story robbery.

He was transported to the Portland Police Bureau’s north precinct where he was questioned and later arrested by Washington County Detectives.

"Detectives were able to recover over half of the jewelry stolen during the burglary, but are seeking the public’s help in locating the rest," Thompson said.

"Mr. Hanes and his associates may have been selling the stolen jewelry in local bars in the St. Johns Area. If you have purchased any jewelry in this manor, detectives would like to hear from you."

Hanes was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of Aggravated Theft I, Burglary II, and a Parole Violation. This investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are likely to occur.

Detectives credit the members of the Portland Police Bureau’s North precinct for their generous assistance in this case.