A Portland man was sentenced to six years in prison earlier this month after pleading guilty to his involvement in a series of large-scale retail thefts throughout Clackamas County and the metro area.
He will serve his 72-month sentence with the Oregon Department of Corrections. Prosecutors said Castaway had multiple prior property-related convictions, making him eligible for repeat property offender status pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes 137.717.
Throughout much of 2022 and early into 2023, deputies say, Castaway was engaged in organized retail theft along with several other suspects — targeting numerous Fred Meyer and Dick’s Sporting Goods locations throughout the Portland area.
Castaway and other subjects in the theft ring would enter retailers, damage store anti-theft systems and leave the stores within minutes carrying large quantities of stolen merchandise.
Castaway was reportedly identified by law enforcement thanks to his “distinctive appearance” — including a large tattoo at the base of his neck reading “Peckerwood.” He is responsible for over $30,000 in losses between Fred Meyer and Dick’s Sporting Goods locations alone, according to law enforcement.
Castaway was arrested in Portland on January 25 following an extensive investigation by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit working with the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office.
At the time of his arrest, Castaway had several warrants for aggravated theft in the first degree and attempt to elude issued by the Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington County circuit courts.
Castaway has additional pending cases pending in Clark, Multnomah and Washington counties for similar retail theft crimes.
Clackamas County was assisted by the United States Marshals Service, Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit.