HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Commons at Hawthorn Village Apartments in Hillsboro have been home to Sarah Alvarez and her family for approximately two years. Alvarez said it's been a good two years there.
"It's a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood. We've never had real problems here. Everyone seems to get along well with each other. It's a great community in general," she said.
But Alvarez's rosy outlook changed Tuesday when she and her family returned home after hours away. They noticed the windows were open and knew almost instantly that someone had broken in.
"It was a nightmare coming true for us because our camera equipment is our most important prized possessions we own, and it was all gone."
Alvarez said $30,000 worth of cameras, lenses and drones — among other things — were taken. All of it used for a photography business she runs. She immediately dialed 911 to report the break-in.
"As soon as they arrived they said, 'we're sorry to tell you this but this has been an ongoing issue in this neighborhood and you're not the first victim," Alvarez said.
The exact number of victims is unclear, but a masked man caught on a neighbor's Ring doorbell camera is believed to be behind it all — at least that is what Alvarez said an officer told her.
"He said just based on how he broke into our home it's the exact same method he used on all the other break-ins or attempts," said Alvarez.
The suspected burglar was wearing an alien-looking mask and what appears to be a dry-fit shirt and sweatpants. He was also seen carrying a crow bar — a hand tool commonly used to remove nails or lift a floorboard.
Alvarez hopes police capture him.
"Because it's not just the material belongings we lost, it's our sense of security," she said. "I haven't been able to sleep almost any time since Tuesday night."
Alvarez has launched a Go Fund Me to help replace her stolen camera equipment.