PORTLAND, Ore. — A serial plunderer of Portland-area stores pleaded guilty in a Multnomah County court this week, the culmination of six separate cases against him.
According to the Multnomah County District Attorney's office, 37-year-old Ryan Poffenberger had a reputation among retailers in the Portland metro area, stealing from Ulta Beauty, Sierra, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Plaid Pantry, Jacksons, LensCrafters, New Seasons and Dicks Sporting Goods.
All together, retailers have accused Poffenberger of stealing over $100,000 in merchandise between at least 50 documented instances. More than $70,000 of that happened in Multnomah County, the DA's office said.
Portland police picked Poffenberger up in late December 2023 during a retail theft mission in north Portland, charging him with first-degree theft.
But Poffenberger was out of jail when officers encountered him again in May 2024, and he was arrested after allegedly ditching a stolen gun in public as he ran from the scene of a hit-and-run. Witnesses said they heard a single gunshot before Poffenberger tossed the gun, according to court documents.
Unable to post bail, Poffenberger remained in jail as prosecutors assembled multiple cases against him for the serial thefts. On Tuesday he changed his plea in six different cases, pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of second-degree burglary, three counts of first-degree theft, and one count each of aggravated theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Judge Adrian Brown sentenced Poffenberger to 54 months in the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections (four and a half years), followed by 36 months of post-prison supervision overseen by the Department of Community Justice.
