Suspect Facing Dozens of Charges For Repeatedly Burglarizing Food Carts

Beginning May 3, 2026, PPB began receiving reports of food carts being burglarized by a suspect who often used a blowtorch to force entry and steal items. Some victims were targeted multiple times. Officers and Detectives began linking multiple cases to a single suspect and connected with Milwaukie Police Department. MPD officers arrested a suspect in June of 2026, identifying him as Theodore Cody Jackson, 29. Following that arrest, Detectives began months of meticulous work connecting Jackson to other cases, taking additional reports, locating and analyzing evidence, and presenting case files to the Multnomah County District Attorney's office for review.

On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at approximately 1:40 p.m., the Portland Police Bureau's Central Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) officers, who were working with the Portland Bureau of Transportation on derelict RV mitigation at the time, located and arrested Jackson in the area of Southeast Insley Street and Southeast 19th Avenue.

When he was arrested, he was in possession of burglary tools and other evidence. He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and charged with the following charges:

Burglary in the First Degree (2 counts)

Burglary in the Second Degree (13 counts)

Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree

Criminal Mischief in the First Degree (3 counts)

Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (8 counts)

Aggravated Theft in the First Degree

Theft in the Second Degree

Theft in the Third Degree (7 counts)

Possession of Burglary Tools

Jackson is suspected of involvement in more than 20 burglaries targeting small-business food carts and other businesses across Portland's inner neighborhoods, including businesses located at the Belmont food cart pod. Several victims have reported being burglarized multiple times.

Investigators estimate the combined losses associated with the burglaries total tens-of-thousands of dollars, including stolen property and significant damage to food carts and other small businesses. For many of the victims, repeated burglaries have resulted in additional financial hardship through repairs, replacement of equipment and inventory, and interruptions to their businesses.

The identification and apprehension of Jackson was the result of an ongoing collaborative investigation between the Portland Police Bureau's Central Neighborhood Response Team, Portland Police/Multnomah County District Attorney's Office Burglary Task Force, the Milwaukie Police Department, and the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

Central NRT continues to investigate these incidents and believes there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified or who have not reported their burglary to police. Food cart owners and other small-business owners who believe they may have been victimized by this suspect are encouraged to come forward and contact the Portland Police Bureau. Investigators are particularly interested in hearing from victims who may have surveillance video, photographs, receipts documenting losses or damage, or other information that could assist with the investigation and prosecution.

Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to e-mail [email protected] attn: Burglary Task Force/Central NRT and reference case number 26-802416.

###PPB###