24-05-2025
Burglar sentenced for stealing $44,000 in items from Tualatin storage unit
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man was sentenced to five years in prison after burglarizing thousands of dollars worth of lithium-ion batteries and other items from a storage unit in Tualatin last year.
According to the Washington County District Attorney's Office, Nicholas James Richmond broke into a locked and refrigerated trailer – as well as a separate shipping container belonging to a local robotics company – using a cutting torch back on Jan. 29, 2024.
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He then proceeded to steal 40 lithium ion batteries worth $44,000, along with a riding lawnmower and other items, the DA's Office said.
The owner of the stolen items alerted police after finding one of the batteries for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Investigators then set up a meeting with the seller, who had three of the stolen batteries with her.
The woman claimed her husband and Richmond were hiding the other stolen items at another storage facility.
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After obtaining a warrant, authorities searched the storage unit and found 12 of the missing batteries. They also searched Richmond's truck and found multiple firearms and, after searching his phone, found pictures of the stolen lawn mower.
On May 2, Richmond was found guilty on charges of first-degree burglary (two counts), first-degree theft, aggravated first-degree theft, felon in possession of a firearm (four counts) and criminal mischief.
Ten days later, he was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to pay more than $57,000 in restitution.
Richmond was taken to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.
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