Lake Oswego police say they have busted a burglary crew that allegedly targeted grieving households across the Portland metro area, hitting homes tied to publicized tragedies and walking off with everything from firearms to family heirlooms. Detectives told reporters the suspects focused on people who had recently appeared in news coverage about personal loss. The investigation started in October 2025, when relatives sorting through a deceased family member's belongings discovered a break-in.
According to a City of Lake Oswego press release, officers responded to a reported burglary in the 4000 block of Parkhill Street and arrested 41-year-old Portland resident Nicholas R. Welter after a Dec. 10, 2025 incident where he was found with a stolen firearm. The city lists charges against Welter that include felon in possession of a firearm, second-degree burglary, unlawful possession of burglar tools and receiving stolen property.
Detectives say they later tied Welter to multiple burglaries at the Parkhill Street home and to at least one burglary in West Linn, then identified two additional suspects: 32-year-old Myranda Rice of Gresham and 60-year-old Michael Kelso of Molalla. Investigators say they located alleged stash spots in Portland, Gresham and Molalla and called in Portland Police SERT, East Metro SWAT and Clackamas County SWAT to serve search warrants at those locations. The searches turned up dozens of items; KATU reports officers recovered more than 30 firearms along with artwork and military service medals.
How police say the suspects picked targets
Lake Oswego police told KATU that "the investigation revealed the suspects preyed upon the victims as a result of being featured in news stories about the tragedies they suffered." The pattern, authorities say, raised red flags about opportunistic crime following highly publicized losses and prompted fresh reminders for neighbors to keep an eye out when families are distracted by grief.
Charges and next steps
Welter was booked into the Clackamas County Jail on the charges outlined by the city, and detectives say the broader investigation is still active. Officials are asking anyone with information to call the Lake Oswego detectives tip line at (503) 635-0232 or submit an anonymous tip through the city's website; the City of Lake Oswego provided those contact details in its release.
