News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

DNA closes old car-theft cases

Posted: April 3, 2009, 11:02 a.m.

On April 2, 2009, detectives from the City of Happy Valley (a "contract city" that utilizes Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies) and the Portland Police Bureau arrested Kristen Upham on multiple counts of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. 

Kristen became a prime suspect after her DNA was identified in four different stolen vehicles.  

According to Happy Valley Detective Gil Millett, this was the first time in his 15 years working auto-theft cases that a suspect's DNA had been located in multiple stolen cars.  
Upham was booked into the Clackamas County Jail on five counts of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and five counts of Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Upham's bail is listed at $150,000.

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Contact Info: Lt. Nick Watt
Acting/PIO
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office