A man identified by prosecutors as a key player in one of Portland’s largest burglary rings has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to numerous charges. Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez described the operation as one of the most significant burglary rings he has encountered in two decades of prosecution.
Joshua Patrick Lucero, 33, entered his guilty plea on Tuesday, admitting to 48 charges, including first- and second-degree burglary and unauthorized vehicle use. Prosecutors allege that Lucero and his accomplices targeted over 100 businesses in the metro area, employing crowbars and battery-powered saws to gain entry.
The burglary ring resulted in substantial losses for business owners, who faced thousands of dollars in damages, property destruction, and increased security expenses. Some of the businesses affected by Lucero’s crew include Electric Lettuce, Old Gold, Baby Doll Pizza, Assembly Brewing, Sasquatch Brewing Company, and Artichoke Music.
During the sentencing hearing, victims shared the emotional and financial impact of the crimes. Nick Scandurro, the owner of Sasquatch Brewing Co. since 2023, provided a statement to the court detailing the ongoing damage inflicted by the burglaries.
On Friday, Multnomah County Circuit Judge David F. Rees sentenced Lucero to 108 months in prison, which will run concurrently with a separate sentence from Washington County related to identity theft and unauthorized vehicle use.
As part of a plea agreement, Lucero waived his right to a trial. His sentence also includes provisions for restitution to the victims, post-prison supervision, and revocation of his driver’s license. Lucero’s co-defendants, Courtney Carlile and Daniel Blue, face numerous criminal charges related to the burglary operation, and their cases are still pending.
